Rayo Vallecano v Real Madrid – Lineups, stats and preview

Match Preview for Rayo Vallecano v Real Madrid

Real Madrid will be hoping to bounce back from Wednesday’s defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League when they resume their LaLiga campaign away at Rayo Vallecano.

While they were disappointing at Anfield, the league season has been much more promising with Xabi Alonso’s side five points clear of Barcelona at the top of the table as they prepare to face the division’s 10th-placed team across the city.

Real have been the standout team in La Liga this season, winning 10 of their 11 matches to collect 30 points and sit five clear of Barcelona ahead of gameweek 12.

A victory here would see Los Blancos extend that gap to eight points, with their rivals not playing until Sunday night against an in-form Celta Vigo.

Despite some off-field tension involving Vinicius Junior, Madrid’s focus remains firmly on maintaining their dominance on the pitch.

Though reports of unhappiness with manager Alonsosince replacing Carlo Ancelotti persist, his side are chasing a fifth straight league win, having beaten Villarreal, Getafe, Barcelona and Valencia since their 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid.

Rayo Vallecano have won three of their last four matches in all competitions, though their momentum was halted by a 4-0 defeat to Villarreal earlier this month. Inigo Perez’s men sit 10th in La Liga with 14 points from 11 games, four points shy of the top six.

Their home form has been inconsistent, collecting just five points from four matches at Vallecas, while they now face a Real Madrid side boasting the league’s best away record with 12 points from five trips.

Historically, Rayo have struggled against Madrid, winning only seven of 46 meetings in all competitions. However, they have held the champions in three of their last four league encounters, including a thrilling 3-3 draw in this fixture last season.

Team news for Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid

Rayo Vallecano remain without Luiz Felipe (hamstring) and Abdul Mumin (knee), while Diego Mendez is a doubt for the match. Jorge de Frutos, Alemao, Pedro Diaz and Andrei Ratiu are all expected to return to the starting lineup after being rested in Europe.

Alvaro Garcia should keep his place in attack, having impressed this season with five goals and three assists across all competitions. The Spaniard will once again be a key threat for the hosts.

For Real Madrid, Aurelien Tchouameni is ruled out with a hamstring injury and is not expected back until later this month. Dani Carvajal (knee) and Antonio Rudiger (muscle) are also sidelined, while David Alaba (calf) and Franco Mastantuono (groin) are unlikely to feature.

Trent Alexander-Arnold could return to the starting XI after his substitute appearance last time out, which may allow Federico Valverde to push further forward. Rodrygo is also in contention to start alongside Vinicius Junior and top scorer Kylian Mbappe in attack.