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Rayo Vallecano vs. Real Madrid
Last Wednesday, Real Madrid clinched victory in Group F of the Champions League with a 5-1 home win over Celtic Glasgow to advance to the round of 16. So everything is going according to plan for Carlo Ancelotti’s team in terms of defending their title. The Royal team can also claim the same in La Liga. Despite the recent 1-1 draw against Girona last weekend, the Madrilenians remain at the top of the table. However, with rivals Barcelona hot on their heels, Real should not allow any slip-ups in order to defend their top spot. To do so, they need three points in the small capital derby on Monday evening.
The game will be played at Rayo Vallecano. The club from the Madrid district of Vallecas is playing in Spain’s top division for the second year in a row and is attracting attention, especially this season. Coach Andoni Iraola’s team recently beat Sevilla FC 1-0 away from home and the Franjirrojos are now unbeaten in four games. It is definitely not a bad starting position to play against the reigning champions. Whether we actually experience a surprise in this duel, you can read in our Rayo Vallecano – Real Madrid Tip.
Rayo Vallecano – Real Madrid Info:
– Date & Time: 07/11/2022, 21:00.
– Venue: Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas, Madrid
– Competition: La Liga, Matchday 13
– TV coverage: DAZN
Rayo Vallecano form & balance check
Rayo Vallecano are in a secure mid-table position in La Liga after a third of the season. The Franjirrojos owe this in part to their current run of four unbeaten games in a row. After finishing four points clear of 18th place at the end of last season, coach Iraola’s side are currently a full eight points clear of a relegation spot. After losing 3-1 to promoted Almeria on Matchday 8, Rayo drew 0-0 with city rivals Getafe. Vallecano also picked up a point against another city rival Atlético Madrid (1-1). Then against Cadiz, the Franjirrojos recorded their fifth win of the season with an incredible 5:1 home victory. They managed to confirm this in Sevilla last weekend with a 1-0 win.
Defensive remains stable
It is mainly their own defence that has ensured four unbeaten games in a row. Rayo Vallecano have conceded just two goals in their last four games. Before that, the Franjirrojos conceded a total of twelve goals in eight games. The 3-1 defeat against Almeria made coach Iraola think twice. The Spaniard then changed the system from a 4-4-2 formation to an approach with only one striker. Rayo are now much more compact in the 4-2-3-1 system. Now conceding an average of just 1.2 goals, Vallecano are more likely to win than before, scoring an average of 1.4 times per match.
Rayo Vallecano facts & analysis
– Rayo are in 9th place in the table with 18 points.
– The Franjirrojos are unbeaten in 4 games.
– Vallecano won 2 games in a row (5:1 & 1:0).
Real Madrid form & balance check
Everything continues to go according to plan for Real Madrid, even if the recent 1-1 draw at home to Girona doesn’t fit into it. To be fair, that draw was pretty flattering for the visitors from Catalonia, as the Madrilenians were denied a clear handball penalty. In addition, one of only two shots on goal by the Catalans landed in the goal and this goal came from a penalty in the 80th minute. Be that as it may.
The reigning champions remain unbeaten in Spain and are one point ahead of Barcelona. Before the points were shared against Girona, the royals had won four games in a row. Madrid only drew against Osasuna. That the reigning champions can also convert their superiority into goals was confirmed by Kroos, Modrić and Co. against Celtic on Wednesday. With a 5:1 victory, Real won their group and made it into the last 16 of the top division.
Beauty mistakes remain
Although the royals are arguably the measure of all things in Europe and in Spain, there is also some room for criticism at Real Madrid. The Madrilenians have now failed to win four games in a row. Madrid even suffered their first defeat of the season in Leipzig with a 3-2 loss. For the first time, the Champions League winners conceded three goals in a match. The Spaniards then stabilised against Girona and Celtic, but keeper Courtois still did not keep a clean sheet as Girona scored from a penalty and Celtic from a free-kick. Real Madrid have conceded in only two of their last ten matches in the competition.
Real Madrid facts & analysis
– Real are in 1st place in the table with 32 points.
– Most recently, Madrid played out a 1-1 draw with Girona.
– The Madrilenians are still unbeaten in La Liga.
Predicted line-up – last update on 4 November 2022
In coach Andoni Iraola’s 4-2-3-1 system, striker Camello is the target player. The 21-year-old has already scored twice this season and set up two others. The 1-0 winner in Sevilla, however, was scored by Garcia. The goalscorer plays on the left flank and brings pace to the Franjirrojos’ play. In addition, Rayo can rely on the goal-scoring qualities of former superstar Falcao. The 36-year-old has also scored twice this season.
Real Madrid can look forward to Karim Benzema in the game at Rayo. The Ballon d’Or winner is back after several muscle fatigue and already gained a few minutes of match practice after being substituted against Celtic on Wednesday. Toni Kroos, on the other hand, will be missing for the first time. The midfielder was sent off for the first time against Girona. However, as is well known, there is no lack of alternatives. The royals will play in their usual 4-3-3 formation.
Rayo Vallecano – Real Madrid direct comparison & Statistics
Rayo Vallecano have little to play for in this city duel. The Franjirrojos have only won five times against Real Madrid in 38 attempts. The royals have already picked up 30 victories. Most recently, the Spanish champions won 1-0 at Rayo in this pairing.
– Rayo won their penultimate home match against Real Madrid 1-0.
– Real Madrid picked up 19 wins from their last 20 matches against Rayo.
– In 2015, Real even won 10-2 against Rayo.
