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Real Madrid host Rayo Vallecano on Sunday. Read our in-depth preview here…
Match preview for Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano
So it was a horrible midweek Real Madrid And boss Alvaro Arbeloa. A 4-2 defeat at Benfica was too bad, as it condemned the 15-time European champions to the play-offs to reach the last 16 of the Champions League, but the display in Lisbon was even worse.
Kylian Mbappe scored twice for Madrid but they were second-best for much of the game with the sting in the tail provided by home goalkeeper Anatoly Trubin’s header in stoppage time which also kept Benfica in the competition.
Mbappe called Trubin’s goal “embarrassing”. And questioned the will of his team-mate and he, and Madrid fans, will be keen to see a response against Rayo Vallecano.
It seemed that Arbeloa had led Madrid back after the turbulent and short reign of Xabi Alonso. Wins against Levante, Monaco and Villarreal showed flashes of the old Madrid but the setback in Portugal – and seeing Arda Guler gesticulating angrily after being substituted – was a throwback to October when Alonso and Vinicius Junior dropped out.
Madrid are one point behind Barcelona at the weekend But the gap could be up to four with Barca visiting Elche on Saturday.
Rayo have been on a good run but three consecutive defeats – against Alaves in the Copa del Rey and against Celta Vigo and Osasuna – have halted their progress in the league.
However, they have a good recent record against their city rivals with just two defeats in their last seven meetings.
Team news for Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ader Militao, Ferland Mendy and Antonio Rudiger are on the sidelines for Madrid. Arbeloa will have to decide between Rodrigo, who was sent off like Raul Asensio in Lisbon, or Franco Mastantuno to play on the right side of the front three.
Rayo right-back Andrei Raseu, who has enjoyed success against Vinicius Junior in the past, is set to return from injury. Abdul Mumin is not fit but Rayo hopes Ivan Balliu will make it.
Predicted line-ups for Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano
Real Madrid: Courtois; Valverde, Asensio, Huijsen, Carreras; Guler, Choumeni, Bellingham; Rodrigo, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
Whalen Ray: War; retive, lion, sis, chavria; Palazon, Valentine, Diaz; Akhomach, Fruits, Garcia
How to watch Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano
Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano kicks off at 1pm at the Bernabeu on Sunday. You can watch it on Premier Sports 2 in the UK and stream via the Premier Sports website.
It is also available on the bet365 app and website.
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Stats for Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano
- Real Madrid have won 33 of their previous 47 matches against Rayo Vallecano.
- The reverse fixture at Valecas in November ended goalless
- Rayo Vallecano have not won at the Bernabeu since 1996
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