Bet365 Predictions for Today’s Football Matches

• Athletic Bilbao’s undefeated start to the La Liga (LL) season will invoke mixed feelings. All involved will be very happy to have earned draws against the likes of Barcelona and defending champions Atlético Madrid, but some may be disappointed with Athletic’s scoring output of just 0.8 goals per game.
• They head back to the San Mamés with three consecutive clean sheets to their name though, but the home crowd will be hoping for no more stalemate frustration, as Athletic have drawn seven of their last 11 home LL fixtures (W3, L1), with only Levante registering more home draws on their 2021 LL record. However avoiding defeat here would mean Athletic go unbeaten in their first six LL games for only the second time since 1994/95, and considering they’ve won 13 of 18 home H2H matches in LL against Rayo Vallecano (D3, L2), it’s their record to lose.
• A much improved Rayo side has emerged after losing their opening two LL games, and they’ve now gone unbeaten in the three since (W2, D1), registering two wins ‘to nil’ in the process. This will be a special game for visiting manager Andoni Iraola who faces his first managerial meeting against Athletic, after making 406 LL appearances in the 21st century for them, a club record during that time!
• If Iraola wants a result to match the occasion, he’ll have to end Rayo’s winless LL away run which started back in February 2019 (D2, L10). Their away form might very well decide their fate in LL this season, as no improvement in that regard could threaten them with relegation for the third consecutive time from the top flight.
• Players to watch: Athletic captain Iker Muniain has assisted all three of their home goals this season, while veteran Rayo striker Radamel Falcao has five goals in three LL appearances against Athletic.
• Hot streak: Athletic have scored in 24 consecutive LL matches against Rayo.

Prediction: Over 1.5 Goals | Average odds: 1.40 | Bookmaker: Bet365