La Liga holders Real Madrid will welcome seventh-ranked Rayo Vallecano to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium for their Matchday 27 appointment on Sunday afternoon, 9 March.Â
Real Madrid suffered a shock defeat to Real Betis in their previous La Liga encounter, which caused them to drop to third place in the league standings. Rayo, meanwhile, played out a 1-1 draw with Sevilla on Matchday 26.
Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano: Preview
Real Madrid
The Whites suffered a demoralizing defeat away at Real Betis last week, with the hosts coming from behind to stun the then-league leaders. Madrid, however, did not let their domestic form dampen their UEFA Champions League ambitions, as they put in a solid shift to beat noisy neighbours Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Round of 16. Rodrygo and Brahim Diaz scored on either side of halftime to seal a 2-1 victory for Los Blancos.
While Real Madrid have been performing well in Europe, their domestic form has been far from convincing. In La Liga, the All-Whites have dropped points in four of their last five matches, losing against Real Betis (2-1) and Espanyol (1-0) and drawing 1-1 with Atletico Madrid and Osasuna.
Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano have exceeded expectations in La Liga this season. However, their recent form has not been up to scratch. Inigo Perez’s men are without a win in their last three games in the Spanish top flight, losing two and playing out a draw. Before last week’s 1-1 draw with Sevilla, Rayo suffered consecutive 1-0 defeats to Barcelona and Villarreal.
Rayo have amassed 36 points so far and are sitting 18 points behind Real Madrid in the league.
Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano: Team News, Potential Lineup, and Head-to-Head
Real Madrid Team News and Potential Lineup
Carlo Ancelotti will have to make do without long-term absentees Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao, with both defenders out for the season with ACL ruptures. Backup centre-back Jesus Vallejo (thigh) and midfielder Dani Ceballos (thigh) will also sit this game out. Jude Bellingham, however, is available for selection again after serving his two-game ban in La Liga.
Potential Lineup: Courtois; Vazquez, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy; Tchouameni, Camavinga, Modric; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr.
Rayo Vallecano Team News and Potential Lineup
Rayo Vallecano are sweating over the fitness of Unai Lopez, Isi Palazon, Sergio Camello, and Raul De Tomas. Perez could field an unchanged lineup that drew with Sevilla last weekend.
Potential Lineup:Â Batalla; Ratiu, Lejeuene, Aridane, Chavarria; Diaz, Ciss; Embarba, Trejo, Garcia; Nketa
Head-to-Head
Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano have locked horns 45 times over the years. The Whites have thoroughly dominated, winning 32 times. Rayo have managed to win seven games, while six have ended in a draw. Madrid have an excellent record against Rayo at the Bernabeu, beating them 11 times out of the last 12 (1 D).
The two sides played out an entertaining 3-3 draw when they met earlier this season.
Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano: Prediction
Keeping the Round of 16 second leg in mind, Real Madrid may not go all out against Rayo Vallecano, but they should still do enough to get the job done.
Our Prediction: Real Madrid 2-1 Rayo Vallecano
