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Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid Preview – Prediction, how to watch & potential line-ups

Monday’s encounter between Rayo Vallecano and Real Madrid at the Campo de Futbol de Vallecas drops the curtain on La Liga matchday 13.

Alvaro Garcia’s second-half winner at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan last weekend fired Vallecano to their first top-flight triumph at Sevilla in over 22 years, bookending a four-game unbeaten league run (W2, D2).

Following a topsy-turvy eight-game La Liga start (W3, D1, L4), Andani Iraola’s men are back on track and have clawed their way into the top half of the standings. 

It may have taken them over two decades to beat Sevilla in Andalusia, yet they last defeated Madrid in Spain’s top flight as early as 2019, claiming a 1-0 victory at this venue.

But fair to be said, that’s their solitary H2H success against the reigning La Liga champions in 17 attempts (L16), which casts doubt on their hopes of extending a decent four-game undefeated home run (W3, D1).

Los Blancos won’t be out to make friends after Barcelona strolled to a 2-0 home win over Almeria on Saturday to knock them down from the league summit. 

Carlo Ancelotti’s men picked up the first red card of the season during an underwhelming 1-1 home draw with Girona last weekend as Toni Kroos received his marching orders in stoppage time.

Defending Scottish Premiership champions Celtics felt Madrid’s wrath in midweek Champions League action, with five different goalscorers inspiring the reigning holders to a clear-cut 5-1 triumph. 

They are keen to transfer that momentum to domestic proceedings, where they have yet to lose this season (W10, D2) ahead of the ultimate round before the upcoming World Cup break. 

Match Preview

Rayo Vallecano

All too aware that they’ve lost 90.5% of their La Liga contests against Madrid since January 2000 (19/21), Vallecano will have to play out of their skins to make their visitors work for points. 

Iraola will, therefore, be pleased to know his men have hit a purple patch just in time, winning their last two league outings to give themselves a chance to make it three on the spin for the second time during his tenure.

No strangers to upsetting the odds, Vallecano have gone unbeaten in both La Liga matches against Atletico Madrid and Barcelona this term (D2), suggesting Madrid may have to work their socks off after all.

Real Madrid

Ancelotti’s lads have entered this round as the only side in La Liga to have won all six league games on the road this season, netting at least two goals in five. 

It’s been five years since Madrid last went 7+ La Liga travels without losing, let alone winning in succession, so Los Merengues will be looking to make this one count.

Flying out of the traps could see Madrid steamrolling to another victory outside the Santiago Bernabeu, and after scoring within 20 minutes on their last five top-flight trips, that’s somewhat expected. 

Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid Potential Line-ups

Rayo Vallecano (4-2-3-1): Stoel Dimitrievski; Ivan Balliu, Florian Lejeune, Alejandro Catena, Fran Garcia; Santi Comesana, Oscar Valentin; Isi Palazon, Oscar Trejo, Alvaro Garcia; Sergio Camello. 

Real Madrid (4-3-3): Thibaut Courtois; Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy; Luka Modric, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga; Federico Valverde, Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior. 

How to Watch?

Vallecano vs Madrid, alongside all other Los Blancos’ fixtures, is available to watch online via live Real Madrid streaming

Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid Prediction

Madrid can ill-afford to drop points in this local derby if they’re to overtake Barcelona at the top of the La Liga table. 

So even with Karim Benzema out of the starting line-up, we expect them to bring high-flying Vallecano back down to earth. 

Rayo Vallecano 1-3 Real Madrid

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