Rayo Vallecano - Deportivo Alavés: an early test of ambitions and a match with an important stadium question
Rayo Vallecano and Deportivo Alavés meet in the second round of LaLiga 2026/27 on Thursday, 20 August at 21:00. At first glance, this is a very early league encounter, but both teams have enough reasons to start collecting points immediately. Rayo enter the new season after finishing eighth with 50 points in the previous championship, while Alavés finished 14th with 43 points.
There is also an additional circumstance that every fan planning a trip needs to follow. On the LaLiga and Rayo Vallecano websites, the match is still listed at Estadio de Vallecas, but information published in Madrid during August points to the possibility that the match could be played at Estadio Butarque in Leganés because of construction work and safety problems in Vallecas. Butarque has already been prepared as an alternative venue for this match.
For that reason, it is advisable to check the location of the match again immediately before travelling rather than relying only on the previously published address in Vallecas.
Tickets for this match are in demand among fans.
What is at stake for Rayo and Alavés
The new season is only just beginning. As of 13 August, neither Rayo nor Alavés have yet played their first league round, so the 2026/27 table does not provide a real picture of the balance of power. Alavés host Getafe before this away match, while Rayo open the season away to Sevilla. The results of those matches will be the first genuine indication of form before the head-to-head encounter.
Rayo are coming off a season that ended well above the relegation battle. Eighth place, 50 points and a run to a European final raised expectations, but the summer brought an important change. Íñigo Pérez left the club, and Beñat San José took charge of the team.
For the new coach, the challenge is not only to maintain the result from the previous season. He must preserve Rayo's recognisable energy while at the same time adapting the team to his own ideas and dealing with changes in defence. Upon his arrival, San José emphasised an aggressive approach to matches, hard work and the collective, which fits well with what Rayo supporters traditionally expect from the team.
Alavés finished the previous season seven points behind Rayo, but their final position does not tell the whole story. The team spent the spring under Quique Sánchez Flores and secured survival before the final round. One of the more striking victories late in the season was a 1-0 win against the then champions Barcelona.
For Alavés, the start of the new season will above all be an opportunity to avoid a scenario in which the relegation battle once again becomes the main theme of the spring. Ángel Pérez publicly spoke before the start of the championship about the team's desire to have a calmer season and aim for more than mere survival.
Pre-season form shows two different pictures
The results of pre-season matches must be taken with caution because coaches change line-ups, distribute minutes and test players outside their usual positions. Nevertheless, the summer offered several useful indicators.
Rayo had a demanding programme. Against Feyenoord, they played an unusual match extended to 120 minutes and lost 2-1. Álvaro García scored Rayo's goal on that occasion. A 3-2 victory against Sporting Charleroi followed, in which Randy Nteka and Fran Pérez scored for Rayo, while the decisive goal came from an own goal. The final pre-season match brought a 3-0 defeat away to Ipswich Town.
Rayo's latest verified summer results include:
- Feyenoord - Rayo Vallecano 2-1
- Sporting Charleroi - Rayo Vallecano 2-3
- Ipswich Town - Rayo Vallecano 3-0
- Deportivo Alavés - Rayo Vallecano 1-2 in the final round of the previous league season
Alavés made a more stable impression in terms of results during pre-season. After a 1-1 draw against Eibar, they beat Girona 1-0 thanks to a late goal from Álvaro García. A 3-0 victory against Castellón followed, with two goals from Lucas Boyé and one from Mariano Díaz. The final test against Racing de Santander ended 1-1, after which Alavés were more successful in the penalty shootout.
It is particularly interesting that Quique Sánchez Flores continued to use a system with three central defenders and wing players who are given plenty of space to move forward during pre-season. That provides a clear indication of how Alavés might approach the away match against Rayo.
Rayo are changing coach, defence and part of the team's identity
Beñat San José took charge of the team after a period in which Rayo under Íñigo Pérez developed a very active style without the ball and were prepared to press opponents high up the pitch. The new coach has no reason to completely discard such a foundation, but the pre-season matches showed that he is still looking for the best balance.
The biggest question at the moment is the defence.
Pep Chavarria left Rayo and became a Chelsea player on 13 August. His departure is particularly important because he is a player who could cover the entire left side, and last season he made 44 appearances for Rayo in all competitions.
Marash Kumbulla arrived as a new reinforcement for the centre of defence, but he is still accumulating minutes with his new teammates. In its projected line-up for the first round, AS mentions the possibility of Pathé Ciss playing as a centre-back, while Iván Balliu would have to cover the left flank.
Rayo's possible basic structure therefore looks like a 4-2-3-1. Augusto Batalla is the leading candidate for goalkeeper, Andrei Ratiu provides a great deal of running on the right side, while Óscar Valentín and Unai López can hold the central area of the pitch. Ahead of them, Rayo have players capable of speeding up the game with just a few touches.
Jorge de Frutos, Isi Palazón and Álvaro García represent the main threat between the lines and on the flanks. Alemão is an option in the centre of attack, while Sergio Camello and Randy Nteka provide additional possibilities.
Against Alavés's defence with three centre-backs, the work of Rayo's wingers will be particularly important. If Ratiu and the left-back manage to push the visiting wing-backs high up the pitch, Alavés could end up with five players very deep in their own half. If that pressure fails, the space behind Rayo's full-backs could become one of the main channels for the visitors' counter-attacks.
Alavés bring continuity and two strikers who can change the match
Quique Sánchez Flores has the advantage of continuity. The team already know his principles, and the pre-season match against Girona showed a 5-3-2 formation that can quickly become a 3-5-2 when Alavés have the ball.
Antonio Sivera remains an important figure in goal. Nahuel Tenaglia is one of the players who bring experience to the defensive line, while Nicolás Valentini arrived this summer to further increase competition among the centre-backs.
Ángel Pérez is particularly interesting on the right flank. The player himself described how well the role suits him when he can attack the space in front of him, but also how much physical work the wing-back position requires in a system with three centre-backs. Against Rayo, his duel with the home side's left flank could be one of the most tactically important on the pitch.
Antonio Blanco gives structure to the midfield. Pablo Ibáñez is also among the candidates for the starting line-up, while Carles Aleñá and Denis Suárez provide the coach with different options when a player is needed who can retain the ball or connect midfield with attack.
Up front, the most interesting names are Toni Martínez and Lucas Boyé. Boyé scored two goals against Castellón during pre-season, but immediately before the start of the championship he had physical problems and his fitness needs to be monitored. AS also listed Ville Koski among the players whose condition could affect the selection of Alavés's starting line-up.
If Boyé is fully fit, the combination with Toni Martínez allows Alavés to play more directly. One striker can hold up the ball under pressure from the centre-backs, while the other attacks the space. This is particularly relevant if Rayo's high pressing leaves their defence in one-on-one situations.
Recent head-to-head meetings give Rayo Vallecano the advantage
Rayo have been more successful in most of the clubs' recent league meetings. The latest match was played at the end of the 2025/26 season in Vitoria-Gasteiz. Toni Martínez gave Alavés the lead, but Sergio Camello and Randy Nteka turned the result around for a 2-1 Rayo victory.
Alavés, however, also have a recent victory from a cup competition. In January 2026, they beat Rayo 2-0 at Mendizorroza.
The last five head-to-head matches:
- Deportivo Alavés 1-2 Rayo Vallecano - league, May 2026.
- Deportivo Alavés 2-0 Rayo Vallecano - cup, January 2026.
- Rayo Vallecano 1-0 Deportivo Alavés - league, October 2025.
- Deportivo Alavés 0-2 Rayo Vallecano - league, March 2025.
- Rayo Vallecano 1-0 Deportivo Alavés - league, October 2024.
Four Rayo victories in those five matches highlight a clear recent trend. Even more interestingly, none of those matches ended in a draw, and only the latest league match produced goals from both teams.
That does not mean the same pattern has to continue. Rayo now have a different coach and are going through changes in defence, while Alavés enter the season having spent more time under Sánchez Flores.
Vallecas or Butarque: the most important information for travelling fans
For visitors, the stadium situation is more important than almost any other information before the trip.
In the initial information, the match is linked to Estadio de Vallecas, Calle Payaso Fofó in Madrid. LaLiga and Rayo also still show Estadio de Vallecas on their websites. However, reports published on 10 August state that Estadio Butarque in Leganés has been prepared for Rayo's first home match because of problems with the facility in Vallecas.
Cadena SER, citing information from the club, reported that Rayo - Alavés should be played at Butarque. AS stated on the same day that Butarque is the agreed alternative, but also that Rayo are still trying to make it possible to play in Vallecas.
Because of this difference between the previously published information and the newer reports, the location should be checked again immediately before the match.
If the match remains in Vallecas:
- Estadio de Vallecas is located on Calle Payaso Fofó in the south-eastern part of Madrid.
- The stadium capacity is approximately 14,700.
- Portazgo station on metro line 1 is located right next to the stadium.
- Public transport is a more practical choice than arriving by car in the densely built-up neighbourhood.
If the match is moved to Butarque:
- Estadio Butarque is located at C/ Arquitectura, s/n, 28918 Leganés.
- The stadium has 13,199 seats.
- It can be reached by rail to Leganés Central, as well as the Leganés Central, San Nicasio and Julián Besteiro metro stations.
- For larger matches, CD Leganés recommends arriving by public transport and sufficiently early before kick-off.
- Traffic and parking restrictions around the stadium may change depending on the organisation of the match.
The gate opening time for this specific match has not yet been confirmed in the available information. Because of the possibility of a stadium change, it is particularly sensible to plan to arrive with time to spare.
It is worth securing tickets in good time.
What kind of atmosphere to expect
If the match is played in Vallecas, Rayo get their usual compact stadium, with stands very close to the pitch and fewer than 15,000 seats. Such a layout intensifies the sense of pressure when the home team start the match aggressively.
Butarque changes the context. Rayo would formally be the home side, but would play the match in Leganés, outside their neighbourhood. However, this would not be a completely new scenario for the fans because Rayo also played one home match at that stadium in the previous season.
The capacity of 13,199 also means a relatively compact event. For Alavés supporters, a change of location within the wider Madrid area primarily changes the logistics of arrival rather than the basic nature of the away trip.
Details that could decide the match
The first is Rayo's reconstructed defence. If Pathé Ciss again has to play as a centre-back and Balliu on the left side, Alavés will try to test the communication of a line that is not in its ideal composition. Boyé and Toni Martínez are exactly the type of strikers who can punish misjudgements in duels and second balls after long passes.
The second is the space on the flanks. Alavés's wing-backs have to cover a great distance. With De Frutos, Isi, Álvaro García and Ratiu, Rayo have enough pace to force them backwards. If the home side manage to keep the visitors in a low block, the match will largely be played around Alavés's penalty area.
The third is the tempo. Rayo under their new coach are still building automatisms, while Alavés have greater tactical stability from the end of the previous season. A match with less space and more interruptions to the rhythm may suit the visitors. Rayo will probably look for the opposite - quick positional exchanges, early duels and attacks before Alavés can set up with five players in the last line.
What to watch immediately before the match
Several pieces of information could significantly change the picture of the match during the final days of preparation:
- Final confirmation of whether the match will be played in Vallecas or at Estadio Butarque in Leganés.
- The results of the first round, especially Sevilla - Rayo Vallecano and Deportivo Alavés - Getafe.
- The condition of Lucas Boyé and Ville Koski after problems during pre-season.
- How Beñat San José will organise Rayo's defence after Pep Chavarria's departure.
- Whether Marash Kumbulla will already be ready for more minutes with his new team.
Sources:
- LALIGA - schedule of the second round of 2026/27, match kick-off time and the Rayo Vallecano - Deportivo Alavés match page
- Rayo Vallecano - match information, appointment of Beñat San José, pre-season matches against Feyenoord, Sporting Charleroi and Ipswich Town, and the final league match against Alavés
- Deportivo Alavés - current squad, schedule and information about summer changes in the team
- AS - projected starting line-ups, squad situation at Rayo and Alavés, and information about the possible relocation of the match to Butarque
- Cadena SER - information about Estadio Butarque, the situation with Estadio de Vallecas and statements by Ángel Pérez about Alavés
- Chelsea FC - confirmation of Pep Chavarria's transfer from Rayo Vallecano
- RSSSF - final LaLiga 2025/26 table and the positions of Rayo Vallecano and Deportivo Alavés
- FBref and FootyStats - history of recent head-to-head meetings between Rayo Vallecano and Deportivo Alavés
- Noticias de Álava and EFE - Alavés's pre-season results against Girona, Castellón and Racing de Santander
- CD Leganés, Metro de Madrid and Renfe - Butarque capacity and public transport options
- The Stadium Guide - Estadio de Vallecas capacity and access to the stadium by metro via Portazgo station