Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano: Match Preview, Team News, Lineups and Prediction
Real Madrid will host Rayo Vallecano this weekend at the Santiago Bernabeu on matchday 12 of La Liga.
The hosts are leading the La Liga table after a big win last weekend over rivals Barcelona at the Montjuic stadium. Ancelotti’s side will hope to get all 3 points to remain at the top of the table.
Match Preview
Los Blancos stunned Barcelona last weekend after they completed a comeback in El Classico. Moreover, with that win, they now sit four points above them.
Furthermore, they have also recorded a 100% record in the Champions League this campaign. Despite losing Karim Benzema, they have not stopped scoring goals this season. New signing Jude Bellingham is in red hot form, scoring 10 goals in La Liga this term.
Ancelotti’s will hope for a easy win at the Bernabeu as they would want to enter into the international break on a high.
Rayo Vallecano on the other hand, are not having a good run of form. The Los Franjirrojos sit in 8th place in the La Liga table after 11 matches.
Last weekend, they secured a 2-2 draw against Real Sociedad after Bebe equalized in the stoppage time. Nevertheless, they thrashed Luogones 6-0 in the Copa del Rey this midweek.
Rayo will be more than aware of the mountain they need to climb to earn a victory against current table toppers. Francisco’s men have lost each of their last 12 straight trips to Los Blancos, a run that stems back over the past 23 years.
Real Madrid team news
Eder Militao, Thibaut Courtois are out after they suffered ACL injuries. Moreover, Aurelien Tchouameni is also out after suffering a injury against Barcelona.
Ferland Mendy, Arda Guler and Dani Ceballos are expected to be back in the squad against Rayo. Veteran midfielder Luka Modric could also start after his brilliant performance in El Clasico.
Jude Bellingham is expected to start after scoring two late goals against last seasons La Liga champions.
Rayo Vallecano team news
Oscar Valentin will return to the squad to face Loas Blancos, Francisco has also confirmed this. Other than that, Rayo has no injuries, and have a fully fit squad to travel to Madrid.
Raul de Tomas still hasn’t scored in La Liga this season, but will keep his place against the table leaders.
Bebe could start in this match after securing a draw against Real Sociedad last week.
Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano: Predicted line-ups
Real Madrid (4-3-1-2): Kepa; Mendy, Alaba, Rudiger, Carvajal; Camavinga, Modric, Valverde; Bellingham; Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo
Rayo Vallecano (4-2-3-1): Dimitrievski; Espino, Lejeune, Aridane, Balliu; Valentin, Ciss; Garcia, Palazon, Trejo; De Tomas
Prediction
Real Madrid 3-1 Rayo Vallecano
Real Madrid are in brilliant form, and beating them at the Bernabeu might be a really tough challenge for Francisco’s men. Bellingham will look to make a statement once again to hand Los Blancos all three points this week.
