Alaves vs Rayo Vallecano Prediction & Betting Tips (14 January)

Deportivo Alaves has every chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals today by welcoming, of course, a team higher ranked in the league, but the advantage of receiving, in a cup match, can be felt. In the previous round, it was Sevilla FC who paid the price for a trip to the Basque Country, winning 1-0. Now we're heading to the championship where the Alaves boat is rocking, unable to win any of its last four matches, including three defeats against Real Madrid 1-2, Osasuna 3-0 and last weekend at Villarreal 3-1. The last match played at home in the league ended in a draw with low-ranked Oviedo 1-1, which is similar to a defeat at this level of the competition. Furthermore, in the league, Deportivo Alaves is in a dangerous 16th place. Rayo Vallecano, 10th in La Liga, faces a risky challenge by traveling to the Basque Country.

On paper, Vallecano should win but this match will have a special feeling, as often with national cup matches. It was only last week that Inigo Perez's men obtained their ticket for the 1/8 finals by calmly defeating Granada 1-3. Away, in the league, it's difficult to put one foot in front of the other for the Vallecas players, losing three of their last four meetings on the road including a correction at Elche 4-0. Last weekend, as part of the 19th day of La Liga, Rayo recovered perfectly from its draw against Getafe 1-1, winning by a small goal against Mallorca 2-1. 

Against Sevilla FC in the 1/16 final, it was Carlos Vicente (4 goals in La Liga) who was the hero of the Basque people. The latter is also his team's co-top scorer in La Liga, tied for goals with Lucas Boyé. Against Villarreal, defender F.Garces was still suspended by FIFA and will miss this confrontation as well. Dismissed by the coach in recent weeks, M.Diarra, M.Diaz (ex-Lyon/Real Madrid) and N.Maras will likely be off the scoresheet again today. Absent due to injury at the Ceramica, striker Lucas Boyé himself could miss this clash, a hard blow for the local team. The former Barcelona players C.

Alena and Denis Suarez will be there as will the corridor player Rebbach. At Rayo Vallecano, the recovery midfielder Pathe Ciss is still playing in the African Cup of Nations with Senegal and will therefore not play for this round of 16. Recently injured, Baillu made his return to league competition against Mallorca last weekend, even replacing full-back Ratiu (Romanian international), who was injured at the same time. He thus joins U.Lopez, Luiz Felipe (ex-OM), D.Mendez and central Mumin at the club's health center (injured). The attackers Isi Palazon (2 goals, 2 assists in La Liga) and J.de Frutos (6 goals in La Liga) made the talk against Mallorca last weekend. Pedro Diaz (ex-Bordeaux), scorer against Granada in the previous round will most likely be on the scoresheet. 

• Summary: Deportivo Alavés is going head to head with Rayo Vallecano starting on 14 Jan 2026 at 20:00 UTC . The match is a part of the Copa del Rey .