Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid Preview: Team News & Prediction
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We have a Madrid derby taking place at Vallecas this weekend as the entertaining and exciting Rayo Vallecano take on the glamour side of Real Madrid.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so any game may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / US – ESPN+
Rayo Vallecano preview: Intense and entertaining Rayo
Rayo Vallecano, with intense young coach Inigo Perez at the helm, who is the former assistant to Andoni Iraola, will be perhaps concerned about balancing La Liga and UEFA Europa Conference League football against each other this season.
That was perhaps best shown by their 4-0 hammering away to Villarreal last weekend. However, in Europe, Rayo managed to produce a dramatic turnaround late on to defeat Polish champions Lech Poznan by three goals to two.
Real Madrid preview: Madrid’s ‘Galacticos’
Real Madrid had been getting results without playing too well for much of the campaign but Los Blancos had appeared to have discovered some good form of late. However, they then succumbed to defeat in midweek.
After impressive league wins against Barcelona and then Valencia, Madrid most recently suffered a 1-0 defeat to English champions Liverpool in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League at Anfield the other day.
Rayo Vallecano team news: Unai Lopez a doubt
Versatile midfielder Unai Lopez is now a doubt for Rayo this weekend. They also have a couple of confirmed absentees, such as defensive duo Luiz Felipe and Abdul Mumin.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Augusto Batalla; Ratiu, Lejeune, Mendy, Pep Chavarria; Pablo Diaz, Ciss; Jorge de Frutos, Isi Palazon, Alvaro Garcia; Alemao
Unavailable: Luiz Felipe (Injured), Mumin (Injured)
Questionable: Unai Lopez (Injured)
Real Madrid team news: Fresh injuries
Real Madrid have some fresh injury concerns for this one as both Aurelien Tchouameni and Franco Mastantuono are sidelined, whilst Fede Valverde is a doubt, too.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Eder Militao, Dean Huijsen, Carreras; Guler, Camavinga, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
Unavailable: Rudiger (Injured), Dani Carvajal (Injured), Tchouameni (Injured), Mastantuono (Injured)
Questionable: Alaba (Injured), Fede Valverde (Injured)
Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid prediction
The tight pitch and stadium at Vallecas adds to the Rayo style of football whereby they try to suffocate their opposition with an aggressive and intense press, especially with the hostile atmosphere of their home crowd. That should give some space for Madrid’s abundance of attacking options that will have to show a response after their defeat to Liverpool in midweek. Madrid are favourites but it should be a good watch.
Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid tip: Real Madrid to win & both teams to score
