Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker:
Looking to extend their buffer at the top of the La Liga table this weekend, Real Madrid will travel across the capital to local rivals Rayo Vallecano on Sunday lunchtime.
Rayo Vallecano
Starting with the hosts, while some in Rayo Vallecano’s camp might have opened up the 2023/24 campaign with their sights set on mounting another top-half charge, the little Thunderbolts are enduring an extended struggle. Last seen eventually falling to a 2-1 defeat away at Mallorca, Inigo Perez’s squad almost find themselves sat in La Liga limbo. Continuing to show a string of issues on either side of opening the New Year, Vallecano have collected just a single point from any of their previous five top-flight appearances a run that stems back to January 2nd. Likewise, crashing out of the Copa del Rey last month following a routine 3-1 loss at the hands of Girona, Perez’s men couldn’t have asked for a tougher challenge here. Despite snatching a gritty 0-0 stalemate when they travelled to the Bernabeu back on November 5th, the Little Thunderbolts are rightfully tipped as a major underdog this weekend.
Team News
Dealing with an extended muscle injury and not making a single appearance since the start of January, Rayo Vallecano will once again be without the services of academy graduate Diego Mendez on Sunday lunchtime. However, aside from the 20-year-old midfielder, Perez’s men have reported a clean bill of health.
Yet to make a single La Liga start since opening the New Year, former Benfica striker Raul de Tomas will be hoping for a recall here. One-time Newcastle defender Florian Lejeune will partner Abdul Munim at the heart of Perez’s defence this weekend.
Real Madrid
As for the visitors, while Real Madrid might have eventually fallen 10 points adrift of defending their La Liga crown last season, Los Blancos are certainly firing on all cylinders this time around. Picking up a Champions League advantage earlier in the week as they secured a 1-0 first-leg victory away at German outfit RB Leipzig, Carlo Ancelotti’s men are in the midst of a real purple patch. Last seen in top-flight action claiming what could turn out to be a season-defending 4-0 romp against title rivals Girona, the former AC Milan boss finds the mood in his camp at a red-hot high. Desperate to extend their buffer over the chasing pack here, Madrid have lost just one of their previous 28 straight appearances across all competitions a run that stems all the way back to September 24th. With their sights set on making even more history in 2024, Ancelotti’s men will be smelling a golden opportunity here.
Team News
Missing out in Germany earlier in the week and dealing with a recent ankle injury, Real Madrid will once again be without the record-breaking Jude Bellingham on Sunday lunchtime. Likewise, all still dealing with respective long-term issues, Los Blancos are without the trio of Eder Militao, David Alaba and Thibaut Courtois this weekend.
Now finding the net in two of his previous three appearances, one-time Manchester City starlet Brahim Diaz should keep his spot in Ancelotti’s starting XI. With Bellingham not set to feature here, Brazil superstar Vinicius Junior will lead Madrid’s charge in the final third.
Key Factors to Consider
