La Liga | Gameweek 27

Mar 9, 2025 at 3.15pm UK

Estadio Santiago Bernabeu

Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano

Match preview

Last weekend, Real Madrid suffered their fourth league defeat of the season in Seville. Ex - Los Blancos attacker Isco inspired Real Betis to claim all three points. This was a setback in the title race for the capital giants, who are in third place in the table.

Carlo Ancelotti's side trails second - placed Atletico Madrid by two points and leaders Barcelona by three points. Thus, there's no need to panic just yet, but it's essential that Los Blancos return to winning form this weekend.

Real Madrid was in Champions League action on Tuesday night, registering a 2 - 1 victory over Atletico in the first leg of their last - 16 tie. The second leg is scheduled to take place at the Wanda Metropolitano next week.

The capital giants are also vying for success in the Copa del Rey. They hold a 1 - 0 advantage over Real Sociedad ahead of the second leg of their semi - final at the beginning of April. So, these next few weeks are crucial for the club.

Real Madrid faces two challenging league games ahead. After hosting Rayo, they'll travel to Villarreal, which is vying for a top - four spot. Historically, Madrid has struggled against Rayo recently.

The past three league encounters between the two have ended in draws. This season, they played out a remarkable 3 - 3 draw in the earlier fixture. Last season, Rayo held Madrid to a goalless draw at the Bernabeu, and they even have an away league win over Madrid, having triumphed 2 - 1 in January 1996.

Madrid's biggest win against Rayo was in December 2015, with a resounding 10 - 2 victory. However, recent meetings indicate this will be a tough game for the home side.

Rayo finished 17th in La Liga last season and has never placed higher than eighth in a top - flight campaign. Currently seventh, just two points behind sixth - placed Real Betis in the race for a European spot, there's a chance for history this season.

Rayo heads into this match in disappointing form, with only one point from their last three games. They lost to Barcelona and Villarreal and drew 1 - 1 with Sevilla last time.

Perez's team has been strong on the road this season, collecting 17 points from 13 matches. But Real Madrid is La Liga's second - best home team, having earned 31 points from 12 league games in front of their home crowd.

Recent Performance

Real Madrid La Liga form:WLDDWL

Real Madrid form (all competitions):DWWWLW

Rayo Vallecano La Liga form:WWWLLD

Team News

This weekend, Real Madrid gets a major boost as Jude Bellingham returns from suspension. The England star is sure to start on Sunday afternoon.

Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal, Dani Ceballos, and Jesus Vallejo are injured, but no new problems emerged in the last Champions League clash with Atletico.

Federico Valverde's fitness is in doubt; resting him at kick - off wouldn't be a shock. Despite dental issues affecting his recent form, Kylian Mbappe is set to start.

Antonio Rudiger might be rested, with David Alaba possibly in the XI. Luka Modric and Fran Garcia could also be rotated ahead of next week's Atletico second leg.

For Rayo, Raul de Tomas, Abdul Mumin, Randy Nteka, Isi Palazon, Sergio Camello, Unai Lopez, and Jonathan Montiel are out injured. Jorge de Frutos is suspended. So, head coach Perez will miss many key players at the Bernabeu.

After Nteka and Mumin's issues in the 1 - 1 draw with Sevilla, Sergi Guardiola and Aridane Hernandez are likely to be in Rayo's starting XI.

Possible starting lineup

Real Madrid possible starting lineup:

Courtois; Vazquez, Asencio, Alaba, F Garcia; Modric, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius

Rayo Vallecano possible starting lineup:

Batalla; Ratiu, Lejeune, Hernandez, Chavarria; Diaz, Cisse; Embarba, Trejo, A Garcia; Guardiola