Rayo return to Vallecas as Athletic lose Nico Williams and Sancet
Rayo Vallecano finally play a league game at their own ground this season when Athletic Club visit the Estadio de Vallecas on Saturday, 10 October 2026. The stadium concession was suspended by the Comunidad de Madrid in July, so Rayo’s first three home games were played at Butarque in Leganés; the suspension was lifted in September and this La Liga matchday-eight fixture marks the return. Athletic arrive from the international break without two of their attackers, Nico Williams and Oihan Sancet. Kick-off is at 14:00 local time.
„They have scored too many goals against us. We have to acknowledge that and correct it immediately.“ – Rayo manager Beñat San José
Predicted lineups: Rayo vs Athletic
Goalkeeper Augusto Batalla is out until January with a fractured tibia, with Audero expected to continue in goal. Rayo are also without Luiz Felipe, Balliu is struggling with an ankle problem and Pedrosa faced a late fitness check. For Athletic, Edin Terzić has to rebuild his attacking midfield without Sancet, with Peio Canales back from Spain Under-21 duty and expected to take the central role. Yuri trained again on Thursday after missing a session, while Laporte did separate running work after a heavy international window.
Rayo Team News & Preview
Rayo’s season has been split cleanly by venue. At Butarque they took seven points from three games, beating Racing 3-2 and Espanyol 2-1 and drawing 1-1 with Alavés. Away from Madrid they are without a win, conceding 12 goals in four games, including a 5-2 defeat at Barcelona and a 4-1 loss at the Bernabéu. Their last outing was more encouraging: a 1-1 draw at Osasuna in which they had 63 per cent of the ball and 19 shots to nine, although only two of those efforts hit the target.
Sergio Camello carries the attack. He has seven of Rayo’s 11 league goals and is the side’s highest-rated player on FotMob at 7.78, so the service from De Frutos, Álvaro García and Unai López, who has three assists, will shape Rayo’s afternoon. San José was blunt about the defence in his press conference, and with Batalla and Luiz Felipe out, the back line is still a work in progress.
What works for or against Rayo
- Rayo are unbeaten in three home league games and now return to Vallecas.
- Sergio Camello has scored seven of their 11 league goals.
- They have conceded 16 league goals, 12 of them in four away games.
- Rayo have not beaten Athletic in their last five meetings.
Athletic Team News & Preview
Athletic’s results under Terzić have been built on defence. They have kept three clean sheets in six league games and conceded only six goals, but the attack has been hit and miss: seven goals in total, five of them in the 2-0 win at Celta and the 3-0 win over Atlético. Their last two league outings ended 1-1 at home to Elche and 0-0 against Alavés, when Sancet had a penalty saved, and Terzić admitted his side had missed a lot of chances in those two matches.
Now the injuries hit exactly that area. Sancet has been Terzić’s undisputed number ten and is out for weeks with a calf injury, while Nico Williams picked up a thigh problem playing for Spain against Croatia. Nico has not yet produced a goal or assist in the league, so the bigger loss is Sancet’s role between the lines. Robert Navarro is Athletic’s joint top scorer with two goals, and Iñaki Williams has two assists, but this is a front line that has not been prolific even with its first-choice players. Athletic also have a rearranged game at Levante on 21 October to fit in.
What works for or against Athletic
- Athletic have kept three clean sheets and conceded only six goals in six league games.
- Sancet and Nico Williams are new absentees from the attacking unit.
- They have scored once or not at all in four of their six league games.
- Laporte did separate work on Thursday after a busy international break.
Rayo vs Athletic Odds
Match Result
Double Chance
Handicap
Over/Under
Both Teams to Score
Half-Time/Full-Time
Vallecano vs. Athletic Stats Comparison
Show Recent Results
Vallecano vs. Athletic Form Guide
Vallecano Form, Stats & Data
Rayo’s 1.57 goals per game is respectable for a side in 12th, but the dependence on Camello is striking: no other player has more than two league goals. The 2.29 goals conceded per game is inflated by trips to Barcelona and the Bernabéu, while the home defence has let in four in three games. Against an Athletic side short of creativity, the defensive weakness should be tested less than it was away from home.
Athletic Form, Stats & Data
Athletic’s numbers describe a team that is hard to beat but struggles to score. Outside the wins over Celta and Atlético, they have scored twice in four league games. Navarro, their highest-rated player, will have to carry more of the creative load without Sancet. A goals-per-game figure of 1.17 with their first-choice attack does not suggest a sudden improvement without two of those players.
Head-to-Head
Athletic have the edge in this fixture, with Rayo winless in the last five meetings. The scores have been tight, though: four of those five games were drawn or decided by a single goal, which fits the low-scoring profile I expect from Athletic here.
Home Team vs Away Team H2H Check
Rayo vs Athletic: Prediction & Betting Tip
I do not want to pick a winner in this one. Rayo will be lifted by the return to Vallecas and have Camello in excellent form, while Athletic’s defensive record and head-to-head edge make them awkward opponents. The clearer angle is Athletic’s attack. They have been held to one goal or fewer in four of six league games, they missed plenty in their last two matches, and they now lose Sancet, the player Terzić built his attacking midfield around, along with Nico Williams.
My main concern is Rayo’s defence. They have conceded 16 league goals and Batalla and Luiz Felipe are out, so Athletic will get chances. But four of those 16 goals have come at home, and Athletic have only managed two goals or more in two of their six games. I am happy to back them to be held to one goal or fewer.
Athletic under 1.5 team goals at 1.55 with Winz is the bet. Correct score: 1-1.