Rayo Vallecano v Real Madrid: Confirmed line-ups as Los Blancos look to extend lead at top of LaLiga
Read on to see how the two teams line up for this LaLiga contest
Real Madrid will be looking to bounce back after defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday when they return to LaLiga action away at Rayo Vallecano.
Despite producing a disappointing display on Merseyside, and having goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois largely to thank for keeping the scoreline to a respectable 1-0, Los Blancos have been in formidable form domestically this term.
Xabi Alonso’s side are five points clear of Barcelona at the top of the table – four clear of second-placed Villarreal – as they prepare to face the division’s 11th-placed team.
Real have won 10 of their 11 league matches, their only defeat coming at the hands of their city rivals Atletico back in September.
A victory here would see the gap at the top extend to eight points, with Barca not playing until Sunday night against an in-form Celta Vigo.
Rayo Vallecano, meanwhile, have won three of their last four matches in all competitions, but, historically, this is a fixture they have struggled in, winning only seven of 46 meetings in all competitions.
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Rayo Vallecano team news
There are x changes to the Rayo side that overcame Lech Poznan 3-2 in the Conference League on Thursday.
Pep Chavarria, Nobel Mendy, Andrei Ratiu, Unai Lopez, Isi Palazon, Pedro Diaz, and Jorge de Frutos all come into the starting XI.
Rayo Vallecano: Batalla, Ratiu, Lejeune, Mendy, Chavarria; Pedro Diaz, Ciss, Unai Lopez, De Frutos, Isi, Alvaro Garcia
Real Madrid team news
Alonso makes two changes following the defeat to Liverpool. Raul Asencio and Brahim Diaz come in for Eder Militao and Aurelien Tchouameni.
Real’s formidable duo of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr spearhead the attacking line.
Real Madrid: Courtois, Valverde, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras, Camavinga, Guler, Bellingham, Brahim, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr
How to watch Rayo Vallecano v Real Madrid: TV and online streams
Ray Vallecano vs Real Madrid kicks off at 3:15pm UK time on Sunday. In the UK, the game is available to watch on Premier Sports 2. You can subscribe through Sky, Virgin Media, or online via Premier Sports.
Stats for Rayo Vallecano v Real Madrid
- Rayo have won all four of their league matches this season when scoring the opening goal.
- They are also unbeaten in their last six home league games against fellow Madrid sides – a club record – with one win and five draws.
- Real Madrid boast the joint-meanest defence in the league so far this term, tied with Villarreal on 10 goals conceded.
- At the other end of the pitch, Los Blancos have netted a league-high nine goals between the 31st minute and half-time so far this season.