Rayo Vallecano's performance this season has been underwhelming. After 17 matches, they've managed only 4 wins, 6 draws, and 7 losses, accumulating 18 points and sitting 15th in the league. They are just 3 points above the relegation zone, placing them under constant pressure to secure their position. Their recent form is poor, with only 1 win, 2 draws, and 4 losses in the last 7 league matches. Their last match ended in a 0-4 defeat away to Elche, exposing vulnerabilities in both their attack and defence. Getafe's season has been inconsistent. With 6 wins, 2 draws, and 9 losses after 17 games, they have 20 points, positioning them 11th in the league. They are only 3 points away from the European qualification zone, indicating a theoretical chance to compete for a European spot. However, their recent form is also poor. Rayo Vallecano is expected to adopt a 4-5-1 formation at home, aiming to compress the central space with a five-man midfield. They will rely on their wingers to support the defence and minimise Getafe's attacking threat. In attack, they will depend on the individual skills of Alvaro Garcia to launch counterattacks. They will also try set-piece tactics, utilising their home advantage, to exploit Getafe's weakened defence with aerial balls. Getafe will likely counter with a 4-1-4-1 formation, deploying a single defensive midfielder to control the midfield. Their two wingers will fall back to form a defensive structure similar to a five-man defence. Due to injuries in their forward line, they will struggle to create sustained attacks, and will likely seek counter-attack opportunities through swift wing play, aiming to exploit the space behind Rayo Vallecano's defence with their young forwards' speed. Match direction: Getafe +0.25