Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano: Match preview, predicted line-ups, team news and prediction

Real Madrid welcome Rayo Vallecano to the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday afternoon.

Alvaro Arbeloa’s men start this weekend’s round of La Liga matches one point adrift of Barcelona after five consecutive wins since a 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo in early December.

Match preview

Having started the final round of Champions League group-stage third in the standings, it was almost inconceivable that Madrid would fail to clinch an automatic last-16 spot.

However, goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin’s stoppage-time header condemned Madrid to a 4-2 defeat at Benfica and a place in the knockout round play-offs.

Madrid could really have done without the added burden of two extra games, but must now move on from their European disappointment with domestic glory still in sight.

A 2-0 triumph away at Villarreal in their most recent league outing left Madrid in touching distance of Barcelona ahead of the latest round of games.

Madrid are unbeaten in their last six matches against Vallecano, though they have won only two of those after a goalless draw in November’s reverse fixture.

Vallecano will head to Madrid in arguably their worst form of the season after a 3-1 defeat to Osasuna saw them lose on home turf for the first time since September.

That extended Los Franjirrojos’ losing streak to three matches after consecutive wins over Granada and Mallorca in the league and cup prior.

During that run, Inigo Perez’s men have scored just once and conceded eight times, leaving them just one point clear of relegation danger.

Vallecano will need to tighten up at the back to stand any chance of securing a positive result against their more illustrious rivals, having conceded the fourth-most away goals in La Liga.

Team news

Eder Militao is nursing a hamstring problem and will not feature for Madrid on Sunday.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (thigh), Ferland Mendy (calf) and Antonio Rudiger (knee) are also expected to miss out.

Now up to 36 goals across all competitions, Kylian Mbappe is closing in on his personal best of 44 strikes in a campaign.

Vallecano duo Abdul Mumin and Diego Mendez are still awaiting their first appearance of the season as they continue to battle with knee problems.

Andrei Ratiu has missed his side’s last three matches with a muscle injury, but could be back in time to play a part this weekend.

Real Madrid Predicted XI (4-3-3): Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras; Guler, Camavinga, Bellingham; Vinicius, Mbappe, Rodrygo.

Rayo Vallecano Predicted XI (4-3-3): Batalla; Chavarria, Mendy, Lejeune, Pacha; Diaz, Valentin, Palazon; Garcia, De Frutos, Martin.

Prediction: Real Madrid 3-1 Rayo Vallecano.