Osasuna vs Rayo Vallecano prediction 15.12.2023

• Competition: La Liga
• Date: Friday, 15th December 2023
• Kickoff: 20:00 UK / 21:00 CET
• Venue: Estadio El Sadar (Pamplona)

Osasuna came to this season after the best one in over a decade, as they finished seventh in La Liga, secured the Europa Conference League Qualifiers, and even reached the Copa del Rey finals, where they lost 2:1 against Real. Still, even though many football experts expected they would build on that successful season, the current one has been a disappointment. The team from Pamplona is 14th in the league, much closer to the relegation zone than the European spots. In the next three games, they will have a bit easier schedule (Rayo Vallecano, Almeria, and Mallorca), and it is crucial they collect some points, or we could easily see them dropping very close to the danger zone. 

Since returning to La Liga back in the 2021/22 season, Rayo Vallecano finished 12th in both seasons, which was, objectively, a big success. However, most people credited that to coach Andoni Iraola, and when he left during the Summer and joined Bournemouth, there was a big concern surrounding Los Franjirrojos. Still, they are playing another good season as they are 10th with 20 points, four more than their next opponent. If they fix some of the offensive problems, we do not doubt they will have another easy mid-table finish.  

Osasuna vs Rayo Vallecano pick: Rayo Vallecano to win or draw

Osasuna have struggled throughout the season and won only four of 16 La Liga games - 25%. At home, inexplicably, they are even worse, winning just against poor Granada in eight matches and scoring only seven goals in total. At the moment, they are the third-worst home team in the league, only better than Celta Vigo and Almeria. Additionally, Osasuna is in pretty bad form and are without a win in the last six games. 

Rayo Vallecano are in poor form in La Liga as well, winning only three points in the last five matches, but the main reason behind it is an incredibly tough schedule. However, they are generally playing well and losing games only to the very best in the league. So far, they have only lost four times in 16 rounds, every time against much better teams than Osasuna. 

Considering what we have seen this season from both teams, we strongly believe that Rayo Vallecano are capable of securing at least one point at Estadio El Sadar in Pamplona.