Real Madrid is set to clash with Rayo Vallecano this Sunday in a pivotal matchup before the November international break. The Blancos have the opportunity to extend their lead as LaLiga leaders to eight points over rival teams Barcelona and Atletico Madrid if they secure a victory in this encounter. However, the challenge will not be straightforward, as Rayo Vallecano has emerged as one of the pleasant surprises of the season, currently sitting in 11th place with 14 points and boasting three wins in their last five league matches.
Ahead of the important fixture, Real Madrid’s coach Xabi Alonso expressed his respect for Rayo, highlighting their impressive form and stability under their current management. “They’re a very good team. They have a great coach and have been doing very well since last year. They’ve been given continuity and are competing in Europe this year. They’re very good at their style of play and make things difficult for any team that visits Vallecas. Tomorrow will be a game in which we need to show a lot of maturity, connection and intensity, and know that there won’t be any easy moments,” Alonso remarked.
Fans can catch the match at Estadio de Vallecas in Madrid, with kickoff scheduled for 10:15 a.m. ET. The game will be available for live streaming on ESPN+. According to the odds, Rayo Vallecano is listed at +525, the draw at +371, and Real Madrid at -216.
Expected lineups for the match include Rayo Vallecano’s Augusto Batalla in goal, protected by a backline featuring Andrei Ratiu and Florian Lejeune among others. Real Madrid is anticipated to start with Thibaut Courtois as their goalkeeper, flanked by a robust defense including Trent Alexander-Arnold and Eder Militao.
Analysts predict a challenging outing for the visitors, but ultimately expect Real Madrid to emerge victorious. The anticipated scoreline is Real Madrid 2, Rayo Vallecano 0, as they aim to solidify their position atop the league standings. With both teams eager to make their mark, fans can expect an exciting contest on Sunday.