Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano: Preview, predictions and lineups

Real Madrid are aiming to keep pace with their La Liga title rivals when they take on Rayo Vallecano on Sunday afternoon.

The champions are third up this weekend, and they may well be six points behind league leaders Barcelona by the time they kick off against Rayo. Barca host Osasuna on Saturday night, while Atletico Madrid face a tricky trip to Getafe.

Madrid's upcoming La Liga bout arrives in between their Champions League round of 16 tie against Atleti, and they'll take a 2-1 lead into Wednesday's second leg at the Metropolitano. Tuesday's high-quality first leg laden with stunning goals was a mere taste of what we'll enjoy next week.

Fortunately for the hosts, they're facing a depleted Rayo side who are starting to fade. Inigo Perez's side looked like European hopefuls when they rocked up to Barcelona last month, but they've failed to win in three and have surrendered sixth-place to the in-form Real Betis.

Here is 90min's guide to Sunday's La Liga clash.

What time does Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano kick-off?

• Location: Madrid, Spain
• Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
• Date: Sunday 9 March
• Kick-off Time: 15:15 GMT / 10:15 ET / 07:15 PT
• Referee: Francisco J. Hernandez Maeso
• VAR: Alejandro Quintero Gonzalez

Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano head-to-head record (last five games)

• Real Madrid: 1 win
• Rayo Vallecano: 1 win
• Draws: 3

• Last meeting: Rayo Vallecano 3-3 Real Madrid (14 December 2024) - La Liga

Current form (all competitions)

How to watch Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano on TV - UK & US

Real Madrid team news

Jude Bellingham is available for selection after he served a two-game suspension in La Liga. The Englishman should come into the starting XI on Sunday ahead of Wednesday's critical second leg across the capital.

There should be rests for Federico Valverde and Antonio Rudiger in defence, but Ancelotti has less room to manoeuvre higher up the pitch. Arda Guler may get a rare start, while Brahim Diaz could keep his place and operate down the left. Kylian Mbappe is likely to continue up top.

Jesus Vallejo, Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, and Dani Ceballos are out injured.

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Rayo Vallecano

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Rayo Vallecano (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Vazquez, Asencio, Alaba, Garcia; Tchouameni, Modric; Guler, Bellingham, Brahim, Mbappe.

Rayo Vallecano team news

Injuries have played a role in Rayo's recent blip, and the visitors will once again be without several key players on Sunday.

Their leading goalscorer in La Liga, Jorge de Frutos, is suspended, while Raul de Tomas, Abdul Mumin, Randy Nteka, Isi Palazon, Sergio Camello, Unai Lopez and Jonathan Montiel are all absent through injury.

In Nteka's absence, veteran forward Sergi Guardiola, is in contention to make his first league start of the season.

Rayo Vallecano predicted lineup vs Real Madrid

Rayo Vallecano predicted lineup vs Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Batalla; Ratiu, Lejeune, Hernandez, Chavarria; Diaz, Cisse; Embarba, Trejo, A Garcia; Guardiola.

Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano score prediction

Rayo fought fire with fire in the reverse fixture, claiming a 3-3 draw, but they've generally found goals hard to come by this season despite their stellar work without the ball.

To earn a result at the Bernabeu against this star-studded Madrid team - albeit a potentially rotated one on Sunday - Rayo would surely have to score twice. They haven't netted more than once away from home in a La Liga game since 5 October.

There's scope for the visitors to outwit the hosts tactically, but their lack of talent in attack is bound to limit them. Madrid's devastating ability in and around the opposition's box will prove vital in a routine win ahead of their trip to Atleti.

Prediction: Real Madrid 2-0 Rayo Vallecano

READ THE LATEST LA LIGA NEWS, RUMOURS & GOSSIP