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Match preview
Following last weekend’s slip-up, Real Madrid, almost certainly, will not be top of La Liga by the time this one gets underway.
On Sunday, los Blancos were held to a surprise 1-1 draw by Girona at the Bernabéu.
Vinícius Júnior broke the deadlock, but the newly-promoted Catalans equalised with a late penalty, before Toni Kroos was sent off.
So, despite having 32 points on the board after 12 games, Carlo Ancelotti’s team will kick off in second, assuming Barça beat Almería at home on Saturday.
No such concerns in the Champions League, with los Merengues making sure of top spot on Wednesday night.
Luka Modrić, Rodrygo, both from the penalty spot, Marco Asensio, Vini Jr. and Fede Valverde all scoring in a 5-1 demolition of Celtic.
Here, in their penultimate game until New Years’ Eve, will Real Madrid prevail in this derby fixture?
Do not expect this one to be easy, given that Rayo Vallecano are unbeaten in four home games, winning three of them.
Two weeks ago, los Franjirrojos hammered Cádiz 5-1, with Florian Lejeune the unlikely scorer of a brace.
Then, on Saturday, Álvaro García was the only scorer in a victory over Sevilla at Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán.
This all leaves Andoni Iraola’s team ninth, just five points below the Champions League spots.
Rayo have lost 19 of their last 20 La Liga meetings with Real Madrid, the sole exception a 1-0 home victory in April 2019.
Will it be another famous night at Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas?
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