Alex MacQuoid
Feyenoord head into this International Club Friendly on the back of a genuinely impressive pre-season run, having won all three of their July matches with a combined score of 12 goals scored and just 2 conceded. Rayo Vallecano, on the other hand, arrive in poor shape. Their only July outing ended in a 1-2 defeat to Hearts, which is a result that tells you a lot about where their preparations stand right now. What makes this fixture particularly interesting is the contrast in momentum: one side looks sharp and purposeful, the other appears to still be finding its feet. Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men have been scoring freely, and Rayo’s Beñat San José will need to address some defensive issues fast.
Two players who stand out for Feyenoord in this one are Gonçalo Borges and Gaoussou Kyassou Diarra. Borges has registered 2 goals across the last three matches with 8 total shots and a consistent attacking presence on the flank. Diarra mirrors him almost exactly with 2 goals and 9 shots, showing a willingness to test goalkeepers repeatedly. Both forwards have been lively and direct, and Rayo’s backline will have to deal with pace and volume of attempts from wide areas.
Hot stat: Feyenoord scored 6 goals in a single game against Dordrecht earlier this month, which is the kind of attacking output that signals a side clicking into a rhythm well before the season starts.
| 🏆 Tournament: | International Club Friendly 2026, July Phase |
| 🗓️ Date: | 26.07.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 14:00 CEST |
Feyenoord vs Rayo Vallecano Prediction
This one points clearly in one direction. Feyenoord have been in dominant form across their July friendlies, winning all three games, scoring 12 times and conceding just twice. Rayo Vallecano have played five matches in total this year in July with a single game, and they lost it. The gap in preparation level and match sharpness is hard to ignore.
We think a Feyenoord win is the most sensible bet here, and honestly, the margin could be a comfortable one. Rayo’s stats for their latest five matches are essentially blank, which suggests either a lack of recent competitive action or a squad still being assembled. Either way, they are not walking into this in peak condition. Feyenoord, by contrast, have looked fluid, with multiple players contributing goals and assists across the three July fixtures.
In terms of style, Feyenoord have been operating with a 4-2-3-1 setup that allows their midfield to push forward aggressively while maintaining defensive structure. Their pass accuracy across the last five matches sits at a solid level, and their 31 free kicks won suggests they press and engage physically. Rayo typically line up in a 4-3-3, but without any meaningful recent data to draw from, it is difficult to say how sharp that structure will be. Feyenoord’s foul count of 36 in five matches shows they are competitive and pressing, which could create rhythm problems for a Rayo side still warming up.
- Feyenoord to Win
- Over 2.5 Goals
- Feyenoord to Score First
| 🔥Hot Tip: | Feyenoord to Win to Nil |
| ⚽Total Goals: | Over 2.5 |
| 💥Both Teams To Score: | No |
| 🎯Total Corners: | Over 7.5 |
Team Analysis
Feyenoord have been one of the busiest and most productive sides in this July friendly window. Their last five results include a 6-0 demolition of Dordrecht, back-to-back 3-1 wins over Club Brugge and Charleroi, a 2-0 win over PEC Zwolle, and a 1-1 draw with AZ Alkmaar. The only blemish on an otherwise excellent run is that draw, and even then it came against a fellow Eredivisie rival who are no pushover. The attacking output is the most striking feature: 12 goals in five games with contributions spread across the squad. Tobias van den Elshout, Gonçalo Borges, Gaoussou Diarra, and Luciano Valente have all found the net, suggesting no over-reliance on a single striker. Sem Steijn and Oussama Targhalline have been pulling strings in midfield with a combined 3 assists. The defensive side of things has been reasonable too, with Liam Bossin starting in goal across all three July games and recording 3 saves.
Rayo Vallecano’s July has been brief and painful. Their only outing this month ended in a 1-2 defeat against Hearts, a result that will concern Beñat San José. Looking back a little further, their recent form has been mixed at best. They did manage wins over Alavés and Villarreal and drew with Valencia, which shows some quality is there. But they also lost to Crystal Palace and Hearts in back-to-back games, and those are not results you want going into the new season. The squad’s preparation looks behind schedule compared to Feyenoord, and the total absence of detailed stats for their last five matches makes it hard to assess where they really are. What we can say is that a 1-2 loss to Hearts, a side sitting well below Rayo’s level on paper, is a worrying sign.
🚨Check out our dedicated Feyenoord vs Rayo Vallecano stats page for more info.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Feyenoord the favourite
No bookmaker odds were available at the time of writing for this fixture. Given Feyenoord’s recent form and Rayo’s lack of match sharpness, the Dutch side would be firm favourites if markets open. We would expect Feyenoord to be priced somewhere in the 1.50 to 1.70 range, a draw around 3.50 to 4.00, and Rayo somewhere in the 4.50 to 6.00 bracket. Over 2.5 goals looks like a very attractive option given Feyenoord’s output this month, and Rayo’s defensive fragility in their last outing adds to that appeal. BTTS No feels like the smarter call given Rayo have scored just once in their last July game and look short of attacking momentum.
Possible Starting Lineups
Feyenoord possible starting eleven
- GK: Liam Bossin
- DF: Givairo Read, Jeremiah St. Juste, Mika Mármol, Jordan Lotomba
- MF: Thijs Kraaijeveld, Gjivai Zechiel, Oussama Targhalline, Sem Steijn, Charles Vanhoutte
- FW: Gonçalo Borges
Bossin has been the consistent choice in goal across all three July fixtures and should start again. The back four picks itself based on appearance data, with Read, St. Juste, and Lotomba all featuring in every game. Mika Mármol steps in alongside St. Juste at centre-back. In midfield, Kraaijeveld and Zechiel form the base, with Targhalline, Steijn, and Vanhoutte providing creativity and energy higher up. Borges leads the line, though Diarra and Tobias van den Elshout are likely to rotate in. Van Bronckhorst has shown a preference for a 4-2-3-1 shape, and that is unlikely to change here. Sem Steijn is the player to watch in terms of creativity, having recorded 2 assists and covering ground effectively across the last three games.
Rayo Vallecano possible starting eleven
No player data was available for Rayo Vallecano’s recent matches, so a confirmed lineup cannot be provided. Beñat San José typically favours a 4-3-3 structure, and based on their recent opponents, the squad includes capable players across all positions. We expect a standard competitive lineup to be named, but without roster stats, specific player recommendations are not possible here.
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Rayo Vallecano. Source: Official Facebook. Edited photo
The Verdict
Feyenoord are the clear pick in this one. Three wins from three in July, 12 goals scored, a settled lineup, and a coach who has his team playing with clear structure and intent. Rayo Vallecano have played once this month and lost, and the absence of any meaningful statistical data from their recent matches paints the picture of a side still assembling and preparing. The 6-0 win over Dordrecht aside, even the 3-1 results against Charleroi and Club Brugge show Feyenoord are finishing chances and defending with purpose. Rayo’s 1-2 loss to Hearts, a side ranked well below them, is a red flag. We think Feyenoord win this comfortably, keep a clean sheet, and continue their strong pre-season momentum going into the new campaign. The “Win to Nil” market is the one we like most here, and Over 2.5 goals feels almost inevitable given Feyenoord’s current form.
