Rayo Vallecano will host city rivals Real Madrid at the Estadio de Vallecas on Saturday evening, as the two Madrid clubs face off in a La Liga encounter. Real Madrid will be eager to secure all three points to potentially leapfrog Barcelona into first place, albeit temporarily, while Rayo Vallecano are looking to build on their recent victory over Valencia. Despite a difficult start to the season, Rayo will aim to trouble their more illustrious rivals, especially with the memory of a resilient 1-1 draw last season still fresh in their minds.
Inigo Pérez’s side has been a tricky opponent for the bigger teams this season, while Real Madrid are struggling with key injuries but remain hopeful of returning to winning ways. Here’s everything you need to know about the match.
Match Details
- Location: Estadio de Vallecas, Madrid, Spain
- Date: Saturday 14 December 2024
- Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
- Referee: Juan Martinez Munuera
- VAR: Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes
Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid Head-to-Head (H2H)
Real Madrid have had the upper hand in recent meetings, but Rayo Vallecano have not made it easy for the defending La Liga champions. The last encounter between the two sides in February 2024 ended in a 1-1 draw at Vallecas, and Rayo has been a tough opponent for Madrid, particularly on their home turf. Real Madrid will be looking for a crucial win to move closer to the top of the table.
| Result | Rayo Vallecano | Real Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| Last Meeting | 1-1 Draw | 1-1 Draw |
| Wins Rayo Vallecano | 1 | 2 |
| Draws | 2 | 2 |
| Wins Real Madrid | 2 | 2 |
Current Form
Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano’s form has been inconsistent this season, though they have shown resilience in recent matches. Last weekend, they earned a much-needed 1-0 victory over Valencia, which extended their gap from the relegation zone to six points. However, their home form has been far from impressive, with only eight points from their opening nine games at Vallecas. They will need to improve their record if they are to challenge a Real Madrid side that will be determined to claim all three points.
| Result | Date |
|---|---|
| Valencia 0-1 Rayo Vallecano | 07/12/2024 |
| Unionistas de Salamanca 2-3 Rayo Vallecano | 04/12/2024 |
| Rayo Vallecano 1-2 Athletic Club | 01/12/2024 |
| Sevilla 1-0 Rayo Vallecano | 24/11/2024 |
| Rayo Vallecano 1-3 Las Palmas | 08/11/2024 |
Real Madrid
Real Madrid have been in decent form, though they have experienced their share of struggles, especially in La Liga. Despite a hard-fought 3-2 win over Atalanta in the Champions League on Tuesday, Ancelotti’s men have not been entirely convincing in recent weeks. Madrid will be particularly eager to recover from their 2-1 defeat to Athletic Club, and a win at Vallecas would temporarily push them to the top of La Liga. However, with injuries to key players, including Kylian Mbappé, the task will not be straightforward.
| Result | Date |
|---|---|
| Atalanta 2-3 Real Madrid | 10/12/2024 |
| Girona 0-3 Real Madrid | 07/12/2024 |
| Athletic Club 2-1 Real Madrid | 04/12/2024 |
| Real Madrid 2-0 Getafe | 01/12/2024 |
| Liverpool 2-0 Real Madrid | 27/11/2024 |
Rayo Vallecano Team News
Rayo Vallecano will be missing several key players for the upcoming clash with Real Madrid. One of their most notable absentees is Raul de Tomas, the former Real Madrid academy graduate, who has been sidelined due to illness and has not featured in La Liga this season. Additionally, center-back Pelayo Fernandez will miss out with a hamstring injury. However, the rest of the team is relatively fit and ready to take on their Madrid counterparts.
Rayo Vallecano Predicted Lineup vs Real Madrid (4-4-2)
- Goalkeeper: Batalla
- Defenders: Ratiu, Lejeune, Mumin, Espino
- Midfielders: De Frutos, Ciss, Valentin, Garcia
- Forwards: Nteka, Isi
Real Madrid Team News
Real Madrid’s injury list continues to grow, with several key players unavailable for the trip to Vallecas. Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, and David Alaba remain long-term absentees, while left-back Ferland Mendy joined the injury list earlier this month. The latest blow comes with Kylian Mbappé, who limped off during the Atalanta match with a hamstring issue and will miss the derby. However, midfielder Eduardo Camavinga is back in contention after recovering from a muscular injury.
Real Madrid Predicted Lineup vs Rayo Vallecano (4-3-3)
- Goalkeeper: Courtois
- Defenders: Vazquez, Asencio, Rudiger, Garcia
- Midfielders: Valverde, Modric, Bellingham
- Forwards: Guler, Diaz, Rodrygo
Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid Score Prediction
Real Madrid’s record at Vallecas has been far from perfect in recent years. The defending La Liga champions have dropped points in their last two visits to the stadium, with only one win at Rayo’s home ground since 2016. However, Vallecas has not been a fortress for Rayo this season, as they have struggled to secure points at home. With Real Madrid’s depth and quality in attack, they will be expected to overcome Rayo’s resilience, even without Mbappé and other key players.
Ancelotti’s men have the quality to break down Rayo’s defense, but it is likely to be a tough and physical encounter, with the home side looking to exploit any defensive lapses. Given the stakes and Real Madrid’s attacking power, they should come away with a vital victory.
Prediction: Rayo Vallecano 1-3 Real Madrid
Real Madrid are expected to secure all three points, although Rayo Vallecano will make it a challenging contest. Madrid’s attacking depth and experience should see them prevail despite a difficult run of fixtures and mounting injuries.
