These knives – and white hankies – can be out when this afternoon Real Madrid the host Rayo Vallecano.

Wins over Levante, Monaco and Villarreal appeared to have steadied the ship at the Bernabeu, but a humbling 4-2 midweek defeat at Benfica – the hosts netting a goal through goalkeeper Anatoly Trubin – means boss Alvaro Arbeloa is again under the microscope.

They will need to get off to a good start against Rayo to ensure the fans stay on side.

Rayo are in the bottom half But have a good record against their city rivals, losing just two of their last seven encounters.