PREVIEW | Rayo Vallecano vs Athletic Bilbao - team news, lineups, predictions

In partnership with

Playmakerstats

·26 Februari 2026

PREVIEW | Rayo Vallecano vs Athletic Bilbao - team news, lineups, predictions

Rayo Vallecano and Athletic Bilbao clash this Saturday at the Estadio de Vallecas for matchweek 26 of the La Liga.

Rayo Vallecano have won 26 points to date and are placed in 15th position. Last time out, Iñigo Pérez's team drew 1-1 against Real Betis (La Liga 2025/26).

Video OneFootball

Athletic Bilbao currently have 34 points and lie in 8th position. In their last game, Ernesto Valverde's team won 2-1 against Elche (La Liga 2025/26).

The last meeting between the two teams ended with Athletic Bilbao winning 1-0.

Predicted lineups

Rayo Vallecano: Augusto Batalla, Andrei Ratiu, Florian Lejeune, Nobel Mendy, Pacha Espino, Gerard Gumbau, Óscar Valentín, Ilias Akhomach, Isi Palazón, Fran Pérez, Jorge De Frutos

Athletic Bilbao: Unai Simón, Iñigo Lekue, Dani Vivian, Aymeric Laporte, Yuri Berchiche, Iñigo de Galarreta, Alejandro Rego, Unai Gómez, Oihan Sancet, Iñaki Williams, Gorka Guruzeta

Unavailable

Rayo Vallecano

Athletic Bilbao

Mikel Jauregizar - Knee Injury
Yeray Álvarez - Doping Ban
Benat Prados - Cruciate Ligament Tear
Nico Williams - Pubalgia
Unai Egiluz - Cruciate Ligament Tear

Last starting XIs

Rayo Vallecano ( vs Real Betis 2026-02-21): Augusto Batalla, Andrei Ratiu, Florian Lejeune, Nobel Mendy, Pacha Espino, Gerard Gumbau, Óscar Valentín, Ilias Akhomach, Isi Palazón, Fran Pérez, Jorge De Frutos

Athletic Bilbao ( vs Elche 2026-02-20): Unai Simón, Iñigo Lekue, Aymeric Laporte, Dani Vivian, Yuri Berchiche, Iñigo de Galarreta, Alejandro Rego, Unai Gómez, Oihan Sancet, Iñaki Williams, Gorka Guruzeta

Did you know...by playmaker stats

MANAGERS

Iñigo Pérez has faced Ernesto Valverde on four occasions, recording only losses.
Ernesto Valverde has faced Rayo Vallecano on 19 occasions, recording 14 victories, two draws, and three losses
Iñigo Pérez has faced Athletic Bilbao on four occasions, recording only losses.

TEAMS

Away from home, Athletic Bilbao currently has one draw in the last 11 games.
Away from home, Athletic Bilbao comes from six consecutive games scoring goals.
Away from home, Athletic Bilbao comes from eight consecutive games conceding goals.
Away from home, Athletic Bilbao comes from two consecutive games without losing.
Away from home, Athletic Bilbao comes from two consecutive victories.
Athletic Bilbao currently has one loss in the last six games.
Athletic Bilbao currently has one draw in the last 12 games.
Athletic Bilbao comes from 14 consecutive games conceding goals.
Athletic Bilbao comes from two consecutive games without losing.
Athletic Bilbao comes from two consecutive victories.
At home, Rayo Vallecano currently has one loss in the last 11 games.
At home, Rayo Vallecano comes from five consecutive games scoring goals.
Rayo Vallecano currently has one win in the last six games.
Rayo Vallecano comes from four consecutive games scoring goals.
Rayo Vallecano comes from two consecutive games without losing.

HEAD TO HEAD

Rayo Vallecano and Athletic Bilbao have faced each other 51 times, with Athletic Bilbao having the advantage: 26 wins, against 12 victories for Rayo Vallecano.
At the Vallecas Stadium, Athletic Bilbao has an advantage in the clashes against Rayo Vallecano: nine wins in 25 games. Rayo Vallecano has seven victories.
In the Spanish League, there have been 45 matches between the two teams, with nine wins for Rayo Vallecano, ten draws, and 26 victories for Athletic Bilbao.