Alaves vs Rayo Vallecano - La Liga

The history between Alaves and Rayo Vallecano lends this La Liga fixture an extra layer of spice, and when the two walk out at the home ground on May 23, 2026, recent encounters will be on everyone's mind. Anderson was pointing out that City had held the whip hand in this fixture "for as long as I've known", which isn't exactly inaccurate but will also fan the flames ahead of Sunday's Old Trafford showdown.

Both Alaves and Rayo Vallecano will be eager to build momentum when they meet in La Liga. The hosts have been steady if unspectacular, LL in their last five reflecting a win rate of 50%. The visitors have been hard to predict on their travels, WL in their last five reflecting a win rate of 33.33%. Goals could be in short supply or plentiful — Alaves average 1.83 per game to Rayo Vallecano's 1.67, and that gap may dictate the rhythm of the contest. Despite his age, and recent injury record, Rodri remains the most complete central midfielder to have operated in the Premier League over the past five years.

The touchline duel between the two managers adds another layer of intrigue, with both likely to tweak their setups in search of a decisive edge. A month before his death, he was also arrested in Arkansas on charges including possession of a controlled substance.

The fixture is likely to be shaped by its key performers, with creative midfielders and clinical finishers on both sides capable of turning the game in an instant. How each side deals with the other's danger men — and who takes their chances when they come — will be central to the outcome. The Lille midfielder excelled in his fledgling role at his first major international tournament, particularly noticeable in a group-stage bout with Brazil.

Predicting an outright winner is no easy task given how little separates the two sides on paper. A share of the spoils looks the most probable outcome, with neither side holding a decisive edge — a 2-2 draw feels like a fitting result. Whatever the outcome, the La Liga fixture promises a meaningful contest with real implications for both clubs. Premier League chief executive Richard Masters says a verdict on the alleged charges against Manchester City "has taken longer than expected".