Third-placed Real Madrid welcomes seventh-placed Rayo Vallecano to the Santiago Bernabéu for what promises to be an exciting La Liga clash.
Nolan James Mar 9
The last meeting between these two sides on December 14th ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw at Estadio de Vallecas. Rayo Vallecano’s Isi Palazón equalized in the 64th minute after Real Madrid had overturned a 2-0 deficit with goals from Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo.
Los Blancos remain in contention on multiple fronts, sitting just three points behind Barcelona in the La Liga title race with 54 points from 26 matches (16 wins, six draws, and four losses).
Copa del Rey Progress
Real Madrid have positioned themselves well in the Copa del Rey, securing a 1-0 first-leg win over Real Sociedad in the semi-finals. Their journey to this stage included victories over Leganés (3-2), Celta Vigo (5-2), and Minera (5-0).
Champions League Campaign
Despite a mixed group stage—earning 15 points from eight matches with wins over Stuttgart (3-1), Borussia Dortmund (5-2), Atalanta (3-2), Red Bull Salzburg (5-1), and Brest (3-0) but suffering losses to Lille (1-0), AC Milan (3-1), and Liverpool (2-0)—Real have been dominant in the knockout stages.
They convincingly defeated Manchester City 6-3 on aggregate and secured a crucial 2-1 home win against Atlético Madrid in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie.
Rayo Vallecano have had an impressive turnaround this season, significantly improving on last year’s 17th-place finish, where they managed just 38 points. Currently seventh with 36 points, they are just two points behind sixth-placed Real Betis, who occupy the final European qualification spot.
The Inigo Perez Effect
Manager Iñigo Pérez, at just 37 years old, has shown exceptional leadership in transforming Vallecano’s fortunes. Initially set to join Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth as an assistant, work permit issues prevented the move, and he instead took over at Rayo, solidifying their position in La Liga.
Copa del Rey Journey
Rayo’s Copa del Rey run ended in the quarter-finals with a 3-1 defeat to Real Sociedad. Before that, they secured wins over Racing Ferrol (3-1), Unionistas (3-2), and Villamuriel (5-0).
Los Blancos have won four of their last five matches, with their only defeat coming in a 2-1 loss to Real Betis on March 1st, where former Madrid playmaker Isco netted the winner.
Their recent victories include a 1-0 win over Real Sociedad, a 2-0 triumph against Girona, and an emphatic 6-3 aggregate win over Manchester City in the Champions League Round of 32. Most recently, they edged Atlético Madrid 2-1 in the Champions League Round of 16 first leg, with Rodrygo and Brahim Díaz scoring on either side of Julián Álvarez’s stunning equalizer.
Rayo enters this fixture winless in their last three matches. They recently played out a 1-1 draw at home against Sevilla following consecutive 1-0 defeats to Villarreal and Barcelona.
Before that, they secured narrow 1-0 wins over Real Valladolid and Leganés, with Pathé Ciss scoring the lone goal against the latter.
Real Madrid are clear favorites to claim victory, given their superior squad depth and strong recent form.
Los Blancos boast the best home record in La Liga, collecting 31 points from 12 matches at the Santiago Bernabéu, with only Atlético Madrid and Barcelona managing to take points off them.
Meanwhile, Rayo Vallecano hold the sixth-best away record but have won just four of their 13 games on the road.
With Real Madrid averaging 2.58 goals per game at home while conceding just 0.9, we predict a 3-1 victory for Ancelotti’s side.
