Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano Preview: Team News & Prediction
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There is a Madrid derby between Getafe and Atletico Madrid at the Coliseum on Sunday as well as this Madrid derby at the Bernabeu as Rayo Vallecano go to face Real Madrid this weekend.
Kick-off date/time: Sunday 9th March, 2025: UK – 3:15pm / US ET – 10:15am / US PT – 7:15am
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Real Madrid Preview: European distraction
In midweek, Real Madrid defeated Atletico Madrid by two goals to one in the first-leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie in midweek. Rodrygo opened the scoring in that game before a Julian Alvarez equaliser, then Brahim Diaz notched a winner early in the second-half.
Los Blancos have hit a sticky patch once again in La Liga with a 2-1 defeat away at the Benito Villamarin in Andalusia against Real Betis last weekend, meaning they have now managed just one victory in their last five matches in the league in an extremely close title race.
Rayo Vallecano Preview: Intense and fun
Former assistant coach to Andoni Iraola, 37-year-old Inigo Perez, is doing an extremely impressive job at Rayo Vallecano as they chase a top six or seven finish in La Liga and potential European qualification with one of the smallest budgets in poorest hierarchies in the league.
Their intense and aggressive playing style, in the image of the aforementioned Andoni Iraola, were denied all three points against Sevilla at Vallecas last week in a game in which they went 1-0 up but then conceded an 81st minute equaliser scored by Dodi Lukebakio.
Real Madrid Team News: Bellingham freshness
Jude Bellingham played in Madrid’s Copa del Rey semi-final first-leg against Real Sociedad in the Basque Country last week but has now completed a two-match suspension in La Liga, as well as a one-match ban that he served in midweek in the UEFA Champions League.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Courtois; Lucas Vazquez, Raul Asencio, Rudiger, Fran Garcia; Bellingham, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
Unavailable: Militao (Injured), Jesus Vallejo (Injured), Dani Carvajal (Injured), Dani Ceballos (Injured)
Questionable: Fede Valverde (Injured)
Rayo Vallecano Team News: Key issues
Rayo Vallecano are dealing with key issues in attacking areas of the pitch as winger Jorge de Frutos is missing through suspension, whilst fellow key winger Isi Palazon is missing through injury. Striker Sergio Camello is also unavailable for Rayo this weekend.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Auguste Batalla; Ratiu, Lejeune, Aridane Hernandez, Pep Chavarria; Pablo Diaz, Ciss; Adrian Embarba, Oscar Trejo, Alvaro Garcia; Sergi Guardiola
Unavailable: Mumin (Injured), Isi Palazon (Injured), Jorge de Frutos (Suspended), Sergio Camello (Injured), Raul de Tomas (Illness)
Questionable: Unai Lopez (Injured), Nteka (Injured)
Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano Prediction
Real Madrid will have one eye on the second-leg of that aforementioned European tie as they travel across the city to the Metropolitano on Wednesday. Rayo Vallecano aren’t particularly high-scoring but, with the intent of Inigo Perez, they are fearless and will expect to go at Madrid even with the amount of key absences that they are suffering from. Madrid should come out on top, especially at the Bernabeu, but Rayo will be a team, as ever, that make things awkward and difficult.
Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano Tip: Real Madrid to win & both teams to score
