Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Spanish Primera
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THE FACTS
When is Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid on and what time does it start? Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid will take place on Sunday 18th February, 2024 – 13:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid on in the UK? Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid will be televised live on LaLigaTV, but La Liga matches are also televised occasionally on Viaplay Sports and ITV
Where can I stream Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid in the UK? Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid can be streamed live on Viaplay, while ITV matches can be streamed live on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
RAYO VALLECANO
After a turbulent summer in which Rayo Vallecano lost manager Andoni Iraola as well as several key players, such as Santi Comesana, Fran Garcia and Alejandro Catena, there was an expectation that Rayo Vallecano would struggle to even be competitive in La Liga so far this season but they started extremely well to comfortably sit in the middle-of-the-table.
However, ever since their bright start to the campaign which did have its worrying signs like when they lost 7-0 at home to Atletico Madrid, Rayo have been extremely underwhelming and have drifted down onto the cusp of the relegation battle. Their 2-1 defeat away to Mallorca last weekend means they have managed just one win in their last 14 matches in La Liga.
REAL MADRID
Real Madrid have had a big week in their push for the double this season. Carlo Ancelotti’s Los Blancos come into this one on the back of winning without Jude Bellingham in midweek as Brahim Diaz scored the only goal to defeat RB Leipzig by a goal to nil in Germany in the first-leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie.
That followed a 4-0 annihilation of fellow title contenders Girona at the Bernabeu last weekend in a game in which Madrid were missing their first-choice goalkeeper as well as all four first-choice centre-backs. That didn’t matter, though, as they emphatically found a way and have now opened up a five-point gap at the top-of-the-table ahead of this weekend’s round of fixtures.
THE TEAM NEWS
RAYO VALLECANO
Rayo Vallecano would be able to name an unchanged side for this weekend’s clash with Los Blancos as only Diego Mendez remains a doubt for this one.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Dimitrievski; Balliu, Mumin, Lejeune, Espino; Valentin, Ciss; Palazon, Perez, Garcia; Camello
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Mendez (Injured)
REAL MADRID
Jude Bellingham remains unavailable for this weekend, alongside the likes of Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba, whilst Ferland Mendy is out suspended.
PREDICTED XI (4-1-2-1-2): Lunin; Carvajal, Tchouameni, Nacho, Garcia; Kroos; Valverde, Camavinga; Brahim; Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr
UNAVAILABLE: Mendy (Suspended), Rudiger (Injured), Bellingham (Injured), Alaba (Injured), Militao (Injured), Courtois (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
We have a Madrid derby on Sunday afternoon. Rayo Vallecano have a fierce fan base with left-wing fanatics that tend to create an excellent atmosphere whoever they are playing but that is even more so the case when one of the real big boys comes to Vallecas. Real Madrid, often referred to as Franco’s team, are the natural enemy off the pitch but on it this is unlikely to be much of a contest as the visitors should easily navigate their way through to victory against a team trending downwards.
TIP: REAL MADRID TO WIN
