Athletic Club and Rayo Vallecano face in San Mamés Barria, in a match for the 32 th round of the First Division. The two teams tied (1-1), on 10-24-2018, in the previous match for this edition of the league. The history of recent direct matches is favorable to the home team, which records 2 wins and 1 draw in the last 3 matches. In this match the home factor may be decisive, as Rayo Vallecano presents considerable differences in their results at home and as a visitor.
Athletic Club:
After 10 wins, 13 draws and 8 losses, the home team is currently in the 8 th position of the league, with 43 points won. In their last match, they lost in an away match against Getafe by (1-0), after in the previous match they won (3-2) at home, against Levante. This is a team that usually maintains its competitive levels in home and away matches, since in the last 30 matches they register 5 wins, 4 draws and 6 losses as a visitor; against 7 wins, 6 draws and 2 losses at their stadium.
For this competition, he does not lose in his stadium 11 games ago. In their home league matches the most frequent result at half-time was the 0-0 (7 out of 16 matches). Their attack has scored regularly, since they have scored goals in 7 of the last 10 matches for this competition. In their home matches for this competition there is a tendency for few goals, since 11 of the last 16 matches have ended with Under 2,5 goals. In 31 matches in this competition, they have only won 1 of their 11 matches in which they have conceded the first goal. There is 1 period that stands out in the last 16 home matches for this competition: they have suffered 6 of their 15 goals between minutes (76′-90 ‘).
Atlético de Bilbao enters this unmotivated game, after an outside defeat, by 1-0, in the Getafe field trip. It is possible that the local team prefers the right lateral corridor to attack, taking advantage of the depth offered by the right lateral defender Óscar de Marcos. Despite being a team that likes to act in their own midfield, it also gets out very easily for the counterattack. It should be noted that at the defensive moment Atlético Bilbao is usually a very aggressive team, giving little space to their rivals. Coach Gaizka Garitano will not be able to count on Ander Capa and San Jose, the first one by injury and the second by suspension.
Rayo Vallecano:
After 7 wins, 6 draws and 18 losses, the away team is currently in the 19 th position of the league, with 27 points won. In the penultimate match, they lost in an away match against Eibar, by (2-1). In the last match, they won in a home match against Valencia, by (2-0). This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 3 wins, 2 draws and 10 losses in away matches, with 13 goals scored and 25 conceded; against 5 wins, 4 draws and 6 losses at their stadium, with 22 goals scored and 21 suffered. In the last 10 away league matches Rayo Vallecano has a record of 2 wins and 8 losses, so they have won 6 points out of 30 possible. They have not been very strong defensively, since they have suffered goals in 9 of the last 10 matches, but their offense has scored frequently, since they have scored goals in 8 of the last 10 matches for this competition. In 31 matches in this competition, he never got the comeback in the 16 games in which he suffered the first goal. In the last 15 home matches for this competition there is 1 period that stands out: they have scored 4 of their 11 goals between minutes (31′-45 ‘).
The Vallecano enters this motivated action, after a home victory, by 2-0, in the reception to Valencia: Raúl de Tomás and Mario Suárez marked the goals of the triumph. It is possible that the visiting team prefers the right lateral flank to attack, taking advantage of the depth offered by the right lateral defender Advíncula. Despite being a team that likes to play in their own midfield, it also manages to leave very easily for the counterattack. It should be noted that at the defensive moment the Vallecano is usually a less aggressive team, giving some space to their rivals. The coach of the visitors will not be able to count on Alejandro Gálvez and Elustondo, the first one for suspension and the second one for injury.
