Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview

The title race resumes in La Liga and Scott Thornton provides his Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano prediction preview before the big kick-off.

Los Blancos face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday night. Carlo Ancelotti will be planning ahead for that huge fixture but his team cannot afford to slip up in the league.

Rayo Vallecano will be hoping to take advantage of any tired legs. They sit just outside the guaranteed European qualification places after playing 26 matches. 

Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano Prediction: The Visitors Can Trouble Los Blancos

Spain, La Liga, Sunday, March 9th, 15:15 (UK)

Real Madrid were in command in the title race at the start of February but a poor run of league form has seen them fall behind both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. The Champions League is the holy grail at the Santiago Bernabeu but retaining their La Liga crown will be high on their list of priorities. Their domestic rivals are also in European action so the fixture pile-up is no excuse. 

Los Blancos are scoring an average of 2.75 goals per league game in front of their own fans this season. Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius and Rodrygo form a lethal attacking trio but Real have goals all over the pitch. Carlo could choose to rest some of those players here but he will fancy his team’s chances of scoring a couple regardless. They have failed to score in just one of their 12 La Liga home matches thus far. 

Rayo Vallecano aren’t the most prolific scorers in the Spanish top flight. They have netted an average of 1.08 goals per game over the course of the season, but they massively underperformed their xG. They have netted 28 goals from an expected goals tally of 36.82. Only Real Betis have underperformed the underlying data by a greater margin. Nevertheless, they have scored in five of their last six away games in the league. Both teams have scored in three of those. 

Vallecano have a tendency to take their chances when they square off against Real Madrid. The teams played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in December. Both teams have scored in four of the last five head-to-heads so that’s exactly what we are backing here. 

• Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano Prediction: Both Teams To Score (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.95
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 6/10 (TRACKED BET)

Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano Prediction odds via bet365 as at 10:50, March 7th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano Injuries, Team News and Possible Lineups Prediction: A Strong Side for Real

Real Madrid have been plagued by defensive injuries this season but key players are starting to return. Dani Carvajal and Ede Militao are still missing but Ferland Mendy and David Alaba returning to the squad ahs been a huge boost for Carlo Ancelotti. Rudigercould sit this one out to ensure he is fit for the game against Atletico Madrid.

Vallecano have a number of injuries to contend with. Unai Lopes and Randy Nteka will take a late fitness test before this one. Isi Palazon, Abdul Mumin, Raul De Tomas, Sergio Camello and Jorge De Frutos are all absent. 

Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Vazquez, Asencio, Alaba, Mendy; Diaz, Modric, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Vinicius, Mbappe

Rayo Vallecano possible starting lineup:
Batalla; Ratiu, Aridane, Lejeune, Chevarria; Ciss, Diaz, Trejo; Embarba, Garcia, Sergi

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