AP Sports Preview: Deportivo Alaves vs. Rayo Vallecano

MADRID (Interstat) — Deportivo Alaves hosts Rayo Vallecano in a La Liga matchup Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Estadio Mendizorrotza. Both teams enter with contrasting momentum as the season nears its conclusion.

Rayo Vallecano (14th place, 39 points) arrives on a five-match unbeaten streak in league play, including a 2-0 victory over Villarreal on May 17. The visitors have kept clean sheets in four of their last five outings, conceding only once in that span – a 1-1 draw at Valencia on May 14. Their defensive solidity has been a hallmark under manager Iñigo Pérez, with goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski posting three shutouts in the past month.

In the most recent head-to-head meeting, Rayo defeated Alaves 1-0 on Oct. 26, 2025, in Vallecas. That result extended Rayo’s recent dominance; they have won two of the last three encounters and have not lost to Alaves since 2023.

Deportivo Alaves (12th, 43 points) has been unpredictable. Despite a 1-0 win at Real Oviedo on May 17, their form has been erratic – they followed a stunning 1-0 victory over Barcelona on May 13 with a 1-1 draw at Elche and a 4-2 loss to Athletic Bilbao. Alaves has shown resilience against top sides, also drawing with Real Madrid 2-2 on April 21, but inconsistency against lower-ranked opponents has cost them.

Key for Alaves will be striker Luis Rioja, who has scored in three of his last five appearances, including the winner against Barcelona. However, the team’s defense has been vulnerable, allowing three or more goals in four matches this season.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 2-1 win for Rayo Vallecano. The prediction aligns with Rayo’s recent efficiency: the team has scored multiple goals in four of its last six wins, while Alaves has struggled to contain quick counterattacks.

Rayo also has an eye on its upcoming UEFA Conference League tie at Crystal Palace on Wednesday, May 27. That European fixture may prompt rotation, but Pérez has stressed focusing on league points first.

Saturday’s match kicks off at 9 p.m. local time (3 p.m. ET). Both teams aim to solidify midtable positions with three matches remaining.