Real Madrid will face Rayo Vallecano in their next La Liga home encounter on Sunday afternoon.
Los Blanco will aim to bounce back from after their disappointing loss against Benfica in the Champions League, which saw them miss out on direct qualification to the last 16.
Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano – Match preview and team news
- Date: Sunday, 1st February.
- Kick-off: 1pm BST.
- Venue: Estadio Bernabeu, Madrid.
Real Madrid team news
Álvaro Arbeloa’s side will continue to operate without the services of Eder Militao. Additionally, Trent Alexander-Arnold remains sidelined with a hamstring issue, while Antonio Rüdiger have trained with the squad but is not yet ready to return to competitive action. Ferland Mendy is also unavailable for this match.
Rodrygo is doing full training, and the Brazilian winger is expected to feature in the starting XI after recovering from his recent layoff. Kylian Mbappé, who has scored 21 goals in 20 La Liga appearances this season, continues in exceptional form and will spearhead the attack. Eduardo Camavinga is set to join Aurélien Tchouaméni and Jude Bellingham in midfield, with Federico Valverde continuing at right-back.
Rayo Vallecano team news
Inigo Perez’s side face their own problems, with Abdul Mumin suffering a knee injury and Andrei Ratiu sidelined by a leg complaint, though the former is back in training. Unai López continues to be managed carefully, with the midfielder’s adductor injury keeping him out of the squad as Pathe Ciss handle the midfield.
Ivan Balliu has picked up a knock in recent training and is doubtful for this match. Jorge de Frutos will lead Rayo’s attack, with Alvaro Garcia providing support from the flank.
Form
Real Madrid
Arbeloa’s side have produced an impressive five consecutive La Liga victories, each of their last four triumphs coming by a margin of at least two goals.
This impressive run has seen Real Madrid close to within four points of leaders Barcelona, though Madrid have a game in hand. Their dominance at home continues, with the Bernabéu serving as a fortress.
Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano have struggled considerably of late, managing just one victory in their last 11 league encounters and losing their most recent three matches across all competitions. Their last league outing saw them suffer a 1-3 home defeat to Osasuna, with two injury-time goals sealing a disappointing loss.
With 22 points from 21 matches, Rayo currently sits in 16th place, just one point above the relegation zone.
Predicted lineups
Real Madrid: Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras; Camavinga, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius.
Rayo Vallecano: Batalla; Espino, Lejeune, Ciss, Chavarria; Palazon, Valentin, Diaz; Akhomach, De Frutos, A Garcia.
How to watch Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano?
In the UK, Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano is live on Premier Sports 2, with online streaming via the Premier Sports website and STV Player.
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