Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid Predictions

Real Madrid are the clear favourites coming into this game and will not want to miss the opportunity to go to the top of the table.

Match info: La Liga

Venue: Campo de Futbol de Vallecas, Madrid

Date: Saturday, 14^th December 2024

Time: 9 pm Nigerian time

Real Madrid will be aiming to make it three straight wins in all competitions when they head to Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on Saturday night.

Los Blancos will enter the contest off the back of a 3-2 success over Atalanta BC in the Champions League, while they beat Girona 3-0 last weekend to get back on track in Spain's top flight.

Carlo Ancelotti's side are currently second in the La Liga table, two points behind leaders Barcelona, who have played a game more, while Rayo sit in 12th spot in the division, boasting 19 points from their opening 15 games of the campaign.

Head-to-head:

• Rayo Vallecano have won 7 of the previous 44 meetings between the two teams.
• Real Madrid have recorded 32 victories.
• The remaining 5 clashes ended in draws.
• Both teams have picked the same number of points against each other in the last 2 years.

Form:

• Real Vallecano in the league: W-L-L-L-W
• Real Vallecano in all competitions: L-L-L-W-W
• Real Madrid in the League: W-W-W-L-W
• Real Madrid in all competitions: L-W-L-W-W

Team News:

• Rayo Vallecano are expected to have a fully fit squad available for selection.
• Meanwhile, Real Madrid will miss summer signing, Kylian Mbappe, as well as Dani Carvajal, and Éder Militão due to injury.

Player(s) to watch:

• Andrei Rațiu Romanian international is expected to lead the backline for Rayo Vallecano against the defending champions. He has been solid at the right-back position and has also made notable contributions upfront. Ratiu is a no-nonsense defender who is known for his defensive rigidity and discipline.
• Vinicius Junior marked his comeback into the lineup with a match-winning performance against Atalanta and guided Madrid to a crucial away win. The Brazilian international is known for his consistency, ball control and pace. Moreover, his ability to take on defenders and exploit spaces to score past them comes in as an added advantage.