Rayo Vallecano have done well to stay up in La Liga despite their very minimal budget and have proven formidable against big sides at home on occasion, but they won't be expected to do much on Saturday. Local rivals Real Madrid have come to visit, and they're coming off a huge post-Clasico win.
Rayo Vallecano vs. Real Madrid: Preview and TV schedule
Rayo have the worst defensive record in La Liga. Real Madrid scored seven goals mid-week. Uh oh.
Denis Doyle
Sevilla scored three times against Madrid on Wednesday, but were completely overrun in the second half, eventually conceding seven. It was Gareth Bale's best performance in a Madrid shirt by a country mile, as he recorded two goals and two assists.
Rayo have been bit by the injury bug and aren’t defending the way they used to. They currently sit second-bottom in the league and have La Liga’s worst defensive record. Chances are, they’ll hold that distinction for at least one more week.
Rayo Vallecano injuries and suspensions
Out: Jose Carlos Fernandez (knee), Leonel Galeano (thigh), Seba Fernandez (knee), Ze Castro (hamstring), Saul Niguez (suspended)
Real Madrid injuries and suspensions
Out: None.
Rayo’s squad is looking a bit thin with their current injury situation, as well as a suspension for Saul Niguez, who has five yellow cards independent of the two he picked up to get sent off against Almeria. Real Madrid have a clean bill of health.
Projected lineups
Rayo: Rubin, Arbilla, Mojica, Galvez, Tito, Adrian, Trashorras, Baena, Lass, Falque, Castillo
Real Madrid: Lopez, Marcelo, Ramos, Varane, Carvajal, Alonso, Modric, Khedira, Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo
Match Date/Time: Saturday, 3 p.m. ET, 8 p.m. local
Venue: Estadio del Rayo Vallecano, Madrid, Spain
TV: beIN Sport (U.S. - English) beIN Sport en Español (U.S. - Spanish), Sky Sports 3 (U.K.), Canal+ (Spain)
Online: beIN Sport Play (U.S. and Canada), Sky Go (U.K.)
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