Soccer Spain LaLiga Prediction

Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano - Match Preview

⚽ 24 May 2023 - 17:30 GMT +0

Real Madrid was unable to find a positive reaction to their UEFA Champions League exit as they lost 1-0 to Valencia on Sunday, a result which left them trailing city rivals Atlético by a point in the battle to finish second in La Liga (LL). With three games remaining, that’s all they have left to play for although Sunday’s defeat was overshadowed by yet more racist abuse aimed at Vinícius Júnior.

His subsequent dismissal means he will miss this one as Los Blancos aim to make it four home league wins in a row and a 12th successive home H2H victory over Rayo Vallecano. Given the short turnaround time, manager Carlo Ancelotti may rotate his squad as they welcome a side against whom they’ve netted an average of 4.43 goals per game across the last seven meetings at the Santiago Bernabéu!

Like Madrid, Rayo was unexpectedly beaten at the weekend by a side battling for survival as they lost 2-1 to Espanyol, but even after winning just one of their last four matches (L3), they could still finish in the LL top half for the first time since 2013. They have a tough run-in, but it’s a great incentive to start preparations for next year’s centenary on the right foot.

Success on the road would help as they haven’t won a league away game since the end of January, a run that started with a similarly short trip from Madrid to Getafe (D2, L5). Only Getafe themselves currently possess a longer winless LL away streak and Rayo has some dreadful memories of playing here, including a 10-2 mauling in December 2015!

📋 Players to watch: Karim Benzema has 11 goal contributions against Rayo (G10, A1) in as many appearances against them, scoring in his last three personal H2Hs. Ex-Madrid forward Raúl de Tomás has scored in two of his side’s last three games, with both goals coming between the 40th and 50th minute.

⚡ Hot stat: Real Madrid remains LL’s best-disciplined team with an average of 1.83 cards (red/yellow) per game.