Real Madrid travel to Rayo Vallecano for a La Liga fixture on Sunday as they look to strengthen their lead at the top of the standings. Los Blancos have been near perfect lately and will be confident off a Vallecano side, who have struggled in recent weeks.
Rayo Vallecano has been in a downward spiral in recent weeks as they head into Sunday’s clash with just one win from their last 14 La Liga matches. Things appear to have gotten worse lately as they have lost the last three matches in that run.
Rayo are coming off a 2-1 defeat at Mallorca in their previous La Liga fixture. They appeared to have earned a draw following Alvaro Garcia’s second half equaliser but went on to concede the winner in injury time.
Things have been just as rough for Rayo Vallecano at the Estadio de Vallecas where they are winless in their last nine La Liga matches. Inigo Perez’s men have lost the last three in that run and have also failed to score in three of their last four La Liga home matches.
Real Madrid showed their quality and intention last time out as they claimed a 4-0 victory over surprise package Girona. Jude Bellingham netted a brace while Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo were also on target.
Los Blancos are looking almost unstoppable lately as they are unbeaten in their last 18 La Liga matches, claiming 14 wins in that run. Carlo Ancelotti’s men have also carried their good form into Europe as they travel to the Estadio de Vallecas off the back of a 1-0 victory at RB Leipzig in a Champions League round of 16 fixture.
Real Madrid have also impressed on their travels lately and are unbeaten in their last eight La Liga away matches. They have claimed six wins in that run, keeping clean sheets in two of the last three matches.
How the bookies view it
Real Madrid have been installed as overwhelming favourites among the bookies with a win priced at 8/13 by BetVictor. An unlikely victory for Rayo Vallecano is valued at 5/1 by bet365 while a draw is set at odds of 3/1 by Paddy Power.
Head to head
Real Madrid have a 25-4 advantage with two draws from 31 previous matches against Rayo Vallecano Los Blancos have also won three of the last five meetings but were held to a 0-0 draw in the reverse fixture back in November.
Players to watch
With Jude Bellingham doubtful for Sunday’ clash through Injury, Vinicius Junior could be the one to watch for Real Madrid. The forward has six goals in his last eight matches across all competitions and is priced at 6/4 by 888Sport to get on the score sheet.
Given Rayo Vallecano’s goalscoring problems, Real Madrid will be targeting a shutout on Sunday. Aurelien Tchouameni and Dani Carvajal have impressed as makeshift centre-backs and can lead Los Blancos to another clean sheet at 13/10 with Coral.
Anything else catch the eye?
Real Madrid have won to nil in two of last three away matches and could be set for a similar outcome at 7/4 with BetVictor. Given their result against Girona, a -1 handicap could also be considered at 7/4 with Betfred.
Real Madrid scored in both halves last time out against Girona and a similar pattern is valued at 13/8 with William Hill.
This La Liga match between Rayo Vallecano and Real Madrid will be played on Feb 18, 2024 and kick off at 13:00. Check below for our tipsters best Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
