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Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid Prediction & Betting Tips

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Rayo Vallecano

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      Overview

      • (27') Raúl de Tomás (PG)
      Football
      • (3') Joselu
      • (45'+1') Isi Palazón
      • (45'+4') I. Balliu
      • (81') Raúl de Tomás
      • (82') Álvaro García
      Yellow Card
      • (61') E. Camavinga
      • (90'+3') Dani Carvajal
        Red Card
        • (90'+5') Dani Carvajal
        Angelia

        Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid Prediction & Betting Tips

        Real Madrid travel to face Rayo Vallecano hoping to extend their lead at the top of the La Liga table.

        These odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

        Date: 18/02/24

        Kick-off time: 13:00

        Venue: Estadio de Vallecas

        Rayo Vallecano will be looking to cause an upset as they take on the league leaders Real Madrid at Estadio de Vallecas.

        Los Blancos sit top of the table, five points clear of Girona following their 4-0 win last week over their fellow title challengers. The emphatic victory has put them in firm control of the title race as they look set to win their 36th La Liga title. A win over Vallecano could put them eight clear depending on other results, but at the very least would maintain their healthy advantage at the summit. However, a defeat would leave the door wide open for Girona to capitalise and close the gap again.

        In contrast, their opponents Rayo Vallecano are in the bottom half of the table. They are in no imminent danger of being dragged into a relegation battle, but a loss may leave them nervously looking over their shoulders. They are currently seven points clear of safety, with three other teams separating them and 18th place Cadiz.

        Carlo Ancelotti’s side have the league’s best attack and defence, so it will take a lot for their opponents to get the better of them. However, Jude Bellingham will be absent through injury, so that is a big offensive threat missing. Vallecano struggle for goals, so may need a bit of luck to get past such a stubborn back-line. Alvaro Garcia is the club’s top scorer this season with just five goals. They have also conceded 32 goals this season, so will have to be at the top of their game to keep out the likes of Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo.

        This is a fixture that, as expected, Real Madrid have dominated. In the last five meetings between themselves and Rayo Vallecano, they have won three, lost one and drawn one. That one draw came in the reverse fixture earlier this season, in which Vallecano surprisingly held Los Blancos to a 0-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu, one of just five games in which the league leaders have dropped points in.

        There have been 17 total meetings since 2000, with Vallecano winning just two. Between December 2000 and December 2018, Real Madrid had won 17 games in a row against their opponents, highlighting the difficulty of the task their hosts face this weekend.

        Team News

        Rayo Vallecano Team News

        Rayo Vallecano have a relatively clean injury report for this weekend’s game. Only one player is a doubt as Diego Mendez struggles with physical discomfort. His availability for the game is yet to be determined.

        Real Madrid Team News

        Jude Bellingham has been diagnosed with a high ankle sprain which he suffered in the victory over Girona, and it will keep him out for a few games. Antonio Rudiger will also be absent as he continues to recover from a thigh injury. Despite fears that Brahim Diaz had suffered an injury away at Leipzig on Tuesday, the ex-AC Milan midfielder has been given the all-clear to play against Vallecano. Thibaut Courtois, David Alaba and Eder Militao remain out with long-term injuries.

        Form Guide

        Rayo Vallecano

        In their last five games, Rayo Vallecano have lost four and drawn one. The mid-table side are in torrid form and it doesn’t get any easier as they prepare to face the league leaders. Their most recent game saw them lose 2-1 at 16th place Mallorca. The hosts took the lead just after the break, before Alvaro Garcia got his side back on level terms. However, they would go on to lose as they conceded a 91st-minute winner. This made it three 2-1 defeats in a row. The second came against Sevilla as Youssef En-Nesyri scored either side of an Isi Palazon equaliser.

        Another defeat preceded this, as Atletico Madrid also beat them 2-1. Once again it was late heartbreak as Memphis Depay won the game in the 90th minute after Garcia levelled the score before half-time. Their only point earned in this stretch of games was a 0-0 draw at Real Sociedad, in which they failed to register a single shot on target. This followed a 2-0 home defeat to Las Palmas.

        Real Madrid

        In their last six games, Real Madrid have won four and drawn one. Los Blancos have been in exceptional form, and extended their lead at the top of the La Liga table with a 4-0 win in their most recent outing against second-place Girona. Vinicius Junior opened the scoring, before Jude Bellingham added a brace, with a goal either side of the break. Rodrygo scored a further goal to rub salt in the wounds of their opponents.

        It was an excellent response to dropping points late on the week before against their rivals Atletico Madrid. Marcos Llorente’s 93rd-minute equaliser cancelled out Brahim Diaz’s opener. They also beat Getafe 2-0 thanks to a brace from Joselu. In their other two victories, they left it late to snatch all three points. Firstly against Almeria, in which Dani Carvajal scored in the 99th minute. They were 2-0 down, but managed to claw it back to 2-2 by the 67th minute, before the dramatic finish. Next, they did not leave it as late, but still had to come from behind to beat Las Palmas 2-1. Vinicius Jr equalised, allowing Aurelien Tchouameni to score the decisive goal with six minutes to go.

        Los Blancos faced a tricky Champions League Round of 16 match on Tuesday away at Leipzig, however, in typical Real fashion they showed great resilience and won the first leg 1-0 via a 48th-minute goal by Brahim Diaz which was assisted by club stalwart Dani Carvajal.

        Footy Accumulators Prediction

        Header logoPrimera División

        PosClubPWDLGDPTS
        1
        Team logoReal Madrid
        382981+6195
        2
        Team logoBarcelona
        382675+3585
        3
        Team logoGirona
        382567+3981
        Last updated 04/11/2024

        Where to Watch

        Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid will be available to watch on Viaplay Sports 2.

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