In-depth Analysis
In the first leg, Rayo Vallecano suffered a 0-1 defeat away at Bilbao. It marked the eighth consecutive match in which they failed to beat the Basque side, losing seven of those encounters. These statistics clearly show that the head-to-head record strongly favors Bilbao rather than Rayo Vallecano.
In terms of form, Bilbao have every reason to feel confident after winning four of their last five matches in all competitions. After 25 rounds, they have collected 34 points and are just one win away from the European qualification spots. Their push for a top-half finish remains well within reach.
Meanwhile, Rayo Vallecano find themselves in a far more precarious position, sitting 15th in the standings and only narrowly clear of the relegation zone. However, that very pressure could serve as strong motivation for them to give everything in their upcoming clash with Bilbao.
Rayo’s home form also deserves attention. They have lost just one of their last nine home matches. Even Atletico Madrid were beaten 3-0 at this ground not long ago. Therefore, if Bilbao were to leave empty-handed, it would not be considered a major surprise.