**Rayo's getting a real chance to climb — Elche's been stuck in the mud with draws.** 🔴 This is textbook territory for a home side that's actually stringing results together while their visitors can't find a win to save their lives.

Rayo are 2W-2D in their last five and playing at the Vallecas, which is basically a fortress vibe. Elche, meanwhile, are stuck on 1W-3D — they draw more than they win, and that's a problem when you're chasing points. The H2H heavily favors Elche historically (14 wins in 23), but that's ancient history in a single match.

Key storylines:

- **S. Camello and J. de Frutos** spearhead Rayo's attack with serious momentum at home — Elche's shaky back line can't catch a break
- **Rayo's injury crisis** means defensive depth is stretched thin, but Elche's toothless attack (only 1 win in 5) won't punish them hard
- **F. Niño is Elche's last resort** for anything going forward; if he doesn't click, they're dead in the water

Expected lineups:

- **Rayo Vallecano**: Audero, Pedrosa, Lejeune, Sadick, Balliu, López, Valentín, García, Palazón, de Frutos, Camello
- **Elche**: Dituro, Chust, Bigas, Barzić, Revivo, Sangaré, Valera, Villar, Morcillo, Redondo, Niño

Prediction:

**Rayo Vallecano 2-0 Elche**

Home advantage and form give Rayo the clear edge here.

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