Real Madrid will be looking to bounce back from their UEFA Champions League disappointment when they travel to Rayo Vallecano for a Spanish La Liga fixture. The hosts are doing some good work at home, but face a Los Blancos side who have been almost unstoppable this season.
Rayo Vallecano are coming off a 3-2 home victory over Lech Poznan in a UEFA Conference League clash on Thursday. They fought back from two goals down, with efforts from Isi Palazon, Jorge de Frutos and Alvaro Garcia earning them the win.
That was a solid return to winning ways for Rayo Vallecano following a 4-0 thrashing at Villarreal, which was their fifth La Liga defeat this season. However, Inigo Perez’s men have maintained a solid record at home, winning their last three matches in front of their fans.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid stumbled in Europe, suffering a 1-0 defeat at Liverpool in the Champions League. However, Manager Xabi Alonso will consider that result a minor blip, having won their previous six matches in all competitions.
Sitting five points clear at the top of the table, Real Madrid have won 10 of their 11 La Liga matches so far, including a 4-0 home victory over Valencia last time out. Los Blancos have also won five of their last seven away matches in all competitions.
How the bookies view it: Madrid to show superior quality
Real Madrid are overwhelming favourites among the bookies and priced at 4/9 by BOYLE Sports. Rayo Vallecano are considered outsiders, with a home win valued at 9/2 while a draw is set at odds of 7/2.
Head to head: Untouchable Los Blancos
Real Madrid have a 15-2 advantage with three draws in the last 20 matches against Rayo Vallecano. Los Blancos claimed a 2-1 home victory in the last meeting back in March.
Players to watch: No answers for Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe had a quiet outing against Liverpool but remains the biggest attacking threat for Real Madrid, having scored 13 La Liga goals this season. The forward was on target in the last meeting with Rayo Vallecano and will be the one to watch (Kylian Mbappe anytime goalscorer – valued at 4/6 by BOYLE Sports).
Rayo Vallecano also have a few danger men up front and will fancy their chances of troubling the Real Madrid defence. They will look to de Frutos, who has four La Liga goals this season (Jorge de Frutos anytime goalscorer – priced at odds of 4/1).
Probable line-ups:
Abdul Mumin and Diego Mendez will not play for Rayo Vallecano, with both men currently sidelined with injury. Palazon and de Frutos could earn a start after coming off the bench to score in Europe, while Florian Lejeune is set to continue at the back.
Dani Carvajal, Aurelien Tchouameni, Antonio Rudiger and Franco Mastantuono are all sidelined with injury for Real Madrid. Trent Alexander-Arnold could earn a start after coming off the bench in midweek, paving the way for Federico Valverde to return to midfield.
Rayo Vallecano: Batalla, Balliu, Lejeune, Ciss, Pacha, Trejo, Valentin, Diaz, Garcia, de Frutos, Palazon.
Real Madrid: Courtois, Alexander-Arnold, Militao, Huijsen, Carreras, Camavinga, Valverde, Bellingham, Guler, Vinicius, Mbappe.
Anything else catch the eye?
Rayo Vallecano and Real Madrid have both scored in five of their last six meetings (BTTS YES – available at 4/6 on BOYLE Sports). Los Blancos have led at the break in two of their last three matches (Real Madrid halftime win – offered at 20/21).
With Real Madrid priced at minimal odds for a straight victory, a win and over 2.5 goals offers more value (Real Madrid win & over 2.5 goals – set at odds of 21/20).
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