Sevilla vs Rayo Vallecano

Sevilla and newly-promoted Rayo Vallecano are set to meet at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán in their 2021/22 La Liga curtain-raiser.

Despite an undeniable quality within the squad, it’s fair to say Sevilla were one of the most pleasant surprises last term, claiming a fourth-place finish with a staggering 15-point lead over closes followers. Seeking their first la Liga title since 1945/46, the Andalusian giants will be looking to defy underdog status this season despite an uneventful summer transfer window. This weekend, though, they head into proceedings as overwhelming favorites to claim all three points. Indeed, among the sides they’ve faced 10+ times in La Liga, Sevilla boast the highest win ratio against Rayo Vallecano (82.35% – W14, D2, L1). With just two sides having a higher win ratio as home La Liga favorites last term (W13, D1, L3), ‘Los Nervionenses‘ look likely to avoid defeat in their top-flight season opener for the eighth season running (W4, D3).

On the other hand, one year on from Andoni Iraola’s arrival at the helm, Rayo Vallecano returned to Spain’s top-flight for the first time since 2017/18 on the back of a 3-2 aggregate triumph over Girona in the promotion play-off final. Iraola has been the catalyst to reinvigorate the Madrid-based team, guiding them to an average of 1.6 points per match last term. But following a disappointing transfer window campaign, the visitors may need a miracle to avoid a straight return to the second tier. On the bright side, though, ‘Los Franjirrojos‘ are unbeaten in their last three La Liga openers away from home (W2, D1), though the only time they’ve met Sevilla in such fixture resulted in a 4-1 hammering. Moreover, Vallecano’s previous La Liga campaign saw them close the season on a disastrous run of nine consecutive away games without winning (D1, L8).