Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano Preview: Team News & Prediction
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We have a Madrid derby taking place at the Bernabeu as now once again under pressure Real Madrid take on the energetic and intense but knackered Rayo Vallecano.
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+
Real Madrid preview: Beaten again
Real Madrid were left relatively humiliated again in midweek. Los Blancos named a strong side but slipped out of the top eight as a result of a 4-2 loss to Benfica at Estadio da Luz, with Ukrainian goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin notching one of the most dramatic late goals ever to shift Benfica into the top 24.
Alvaro Arbeloa’s reign began earlier this month and his first game was a humbling 3-2 loss to Albacete in the Copa del Rey. La Liga form had appeared to turn a corner but now concerns about the mentality, and frankly all-round quality, of the 15-time European champions has to be questioned again.
Rayo Vallecano preview: Struggling to keep it intense
Rayo Vallecano overperformed to qualify for the UEFA Europa Conference League last season. However, it is that impressive achievement that may well be a massive detriment to them in the second-half of the campaign as they battle against relegation from La Liga.
With a small squad playing an extremely intense and energetic style, Inigo Perez’ outfit are hovering just a point outside of the drop zone ahead of this match day as a result of a 3-1 loss at home to Osasuna, in a game that featured two late Osasuna goals to heap the misery on Rayo.
Real Madrid team news: Defensive doubts
Real Madrid have lots of defensive injury doubts for this one such as centre-backs Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao, as well as full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ferland Mendy.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Courtois; Fede Valverde, Raul Asencio, Dean Huijsen, Carreras; Bellingham, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
Unavailable:
Questionable: Rudiger (Injured), Eder Militao (Injured), Alexander-Arnold (Injured), Mendy (Injured)
Rayo Vallecano team news: A few doubts
Rayo are dealing with a few key injury doubts at right-back for this one as both Ivan Balliu and Andrei Ratiu and potentially out, while fellow defender Abdul Mumin remains a long-term absentee.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Augusto Batalla; Alfonso Espino, Lejeune, Ciss, Pep Chavarria; Oscar Valentin, Pablo Diaz; Jorge de Frutos, Isi Palazon, Alvaro Garcia; Sergio Camello
Unavailable: Mumin (Injured)
Questionable: Balliu (Injured), Ratiu (Injured)
Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano prediction
Rayo head to the Bernabeu having previously been able to ruffle the feathers of the so-called ‘galacticos’. They simply don’t have the energy to do so, though, this time, it seems. With that, home advantage and the fact Madrid’s stars a point to prove once again, it could be quite a heavy home win in the Spanish capital city on Sunday afternoon.
Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano tip: Real Madrid to win -1 handicap
