Osasuna and Rayo Vallecano Clash in Crucial La Liga Matchup

PAMPLONA, Spain — Osasuna and Rayo Vallecano will face off in a pivotal La Liga match at Estadio El Sadar on Sunday, January 19, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. local time. Both teams are tied with 25 points after 19 matches, making this encounter crucial for their mid-table aspirations.

Osasuna, currently 11th in the league, is looking to break a seven-game winless streak in La Liga. Their last victory in the league came in early November against Real Valladolid. However, they enter the match with momentum after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey on Thursday.

Rayo Vallecano, sitting ninth, is unbeaten in their last five league matches, including impressive draws against Real Madrid and Villarreal. However, their Copa del Rey campaign ended with a 3-1 defeat to Real Sociedad, leaving them to focus solely on La Liga for the remainder of the season.

Osasuna’s home form has been a bright spot this season, with 18 points earned from 10 matches at Estadio El Sadar. Rayo Vallecano, on the other hand, has struggled on the road, securing only 13 points from their 10 away fixtures.

Head-to-head, Rayo Vallecano has dominated recent encounters, winning three of the last four La Liga matches against Osasuna. However, Osasuna secured a 1-0 victory in their last meeting at El Sadar in December 2023.

Osasuna will be without key players due to injury, but striker Ante Budimir, who scored a brace against Athletic Bilbao, is expected to lead the attack. Rayo Vallecano will miss several players due to suspension and injury, but head coach Andoni Iraola is likely to recall key starters after rotating his squad in the Copa del Rey.

Predicted lineups suggest a tightly contested match, with Osasuna’s strong home record giving them a slight edge. According to recent simulations, Osasuna has a 43.9% chance of winning, while Rayo Vallecano has a 28.7% chance, with a 27.4% probability of a draw.

This match could prove decisive in shaping the mid-table standings as both teams aim to secure a top-10 finish in La Liga.