Real Madrid-Rayo Vallecano

Real Madrid’s La Liga form will be tested when they host neighbours Rayo Vallecano at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday night.<br />
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The Whites have continued with their irregular form in the league, winning three of their last five games, but they did manage to bounce back from their shocking 1-0 loss to Granada to thrash Sevilla 4-1.<br />
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Jose Mourinho’s men remain in third place with 46 points from 23 matches, but they remain four points behind Atletico Madrid and 16 behind log leaders Barcelona as they have not managed to capitalise on any of their few slip-ups.<br />
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On Sunday they will meet a Rayo side that is high in confidence as they have also recorded three wins in their last five matches, the latest being a 2-1 win over the other city rivals Atletico Madrid.<br />
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The Franjirrojos have moved up to 6th place on the log with 37 points from their 23 matches, and a win could see them moving up to 4th place, just below Madrid.<br />
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Paco Jemez’s side will be hoping that Leo Baptistao and Piti will continue with their scoring form, with the support of Guinea international Lass Bangoura.<br />
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On the other hand, they will have to contend with attacking players like Mesut Ozil, Angel Di Maria and the on-form Cristiano Ronaldo and midfielder Roberto Trashorras admits that it’s going to be a tough battle.<br />
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"After winning against Atletico we spent the week in a joyous mood but we also had important work to do to prepare for the next game,” said Trashorras.<br />
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“We got three points against a team that is up there; we are happy with the win but now we have to think of the upcoming game against Real Madrid.<br />
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"We intend to play a good game, we will not go into the game thinking we have already lost, we have to believe that we can win.<br />
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“We have to try to play our normal football and go out there with a lot of enthusiasm.”<br />
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Rayo will be without the injured Mikel Labaka and Sergio Rodriguez, while Real Madrid captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas is also still out with a hand injury.<br />
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When the two sides met in the Vallecas earlier this season goals from Karim Benzema and Ronaldo handed Real Madrid a 2-0 win.<br />