The La Liga Round 22 match between Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano will take place on 1 february at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid continues the fierce fight for first place in the table. In the last round the visitors achieved an away victory over Villarreal (2:0), so the side has won five La Liga matches in a row — the club had not had such a run since August–September. The home side remains in second place, but the gap to Barcelona is minimal, so the lead could return at any moment. Note that this season the side has won 9 of its last 10 home league matches. The home side also remains one of the most reliable clubs in the La Liga, having conceded 17 goals in 21 rounds — this is the best figure alongside Atletico Madrid.
- The team scored in 22 of its last 23 home Primera Division matches.
- The club's uncompromising home run in this competition lasts 18 matches (16 wins, 2 defeats).
- In the current league campaign Real Madrid has scored 45 goals in total, only Barcelona have more (57).
Potential Real Madrid Lineup (4-3-3)*
Thibaut Courtois – Raul Asensio, Din Heisen, Federico Valverde, Alvaro Carreras – Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler, Jude Bellingham – Vinicius Junior, Franco Mastantuono, Kylian Mbappé.
Main midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has returned from suspension. Defenders Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy and Eder Militao will miss the game through injury.
Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano lost to Osasuna a week ago due to two late goals (1:3). The visitors have therefore suffered consecutive La Liga defeats for the first time since September. It should be noted that the club is generally going through a prolonged downturn, as over the last 11 rounds the side has recorded just one victory and collected 8 points, fewer only than Oviedo (6). Recently the club was mid-table, but it has now fallen to 16th place. The main cause for concern is that Rayo Vallecano sits only one point above the relegation zone.
- In the current Primera Division season the visitors have scored 17 goals in total, fewer only than Getafe (16) and Oviedo (11).
- The club's away winless run in this competition stretches to 5 matches (1 draw, 4 defeats).
- At least one team failed to score in 7 of Rayo Vallecano's last away La Liga games.
Potential Rayo Vallecano Lineup (4-2-3-1)*
Augusto Batalla – Alfonso Espino, Florian Lejeune, Pape Siss, Pep Chavarria – Pedro Diaz, Oscar Valentin – Isi Palazon, Carlos Martin, Alvaro Garcia – Jorge De Frutos.
Suspension of defender Nobel Mendy has ended. The participation of defender Abdoullah Mumin and midfielder Unai Lopez is doubtful.
Referee
Isidro Diaz de Mera (Spain)
Matches – 11 (the La Liga, 2025/26);
Yellow Cards Shown (Including Second Yellows) – 42;
Average Yellow/Match – 3.8;
Red Cards Shown – 3;
Fouls Per Match – 25;
Penalties – 27%.
Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano: Match Prediction
Real Madrid have not dropped points in five consecutive La Liga games, but it is clear the side is not yet at its peak. Although the home side does not face serious problems, most wins come by one or two goals. Over the last six league matches for Real Madrid we have seen just one big win. Looking at home statistics, the side has thrashed an opponent only in 2 of 10 league matches this season.
Rayo Vallecano are in a prolonged slump, but even in this period the club tries to hold firm and avoid collapsing in poor games. The visitors have avoided defeat in 6 of their last 10 Primera Division matches (1 win, 5 draws); only two matches on this run resulted in heavy defeats. Equally important, the club has not lost by a large margin in 12 consecutive La Liga encounters with Real Madrid.
Prediction: Rayo Vallecano (+2.5)
* For each team, the starting lineup shown is from its previous match in this competition.
