Prediction: Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano

Verdict: Real Madrid win

Best Odds: 3/4

Bookmaker: Dachbet

With Madrid bragging rights up for grabs on Wednesday evening, Los Blancos will welcome Rayo Vallecano to the Bernabeu.

Real Madrid

Starting with the hosts, coming off the back of a 1-0 loss away at Valencia over the weekend, it is fair to say that Real Madrid are really limping their way over the finish line. Coming under a huge amount of scrutiny on May 17th as they watched their Champions League adventure come to an abrupt end thanks to a 5-1 aggregate defeat at the hands of Manchester City, Los Blancos are expected to embark on a major overhaul this summer. With growing speculation that Carlo Ancelotti could once again be heading for the Bernabeu exit, the Spanish icons have now claimed just a pair of wins from any of their last six appearances across all competitions. Opening May with another downbeat display as they slumped to a deserved 2-0 loss against Real Sociedad, the now-former La Liga champions have shown some recent issues in the final third. Watching Barcelona easily snatch away their domestic crown this season, Ancelotti’s side are certainly seeking some kind of boost in midweek.

Team News

Shown what was a hugely controversial red card against Valencia over the weekend, Real Madrid are rightfully furious that attacking talisman Vinicius Junior will be forced to serve a suspension here. Both picking up their own recent knocks, neither Eden Hazard or Mariano Diaz are expected to feature on Wednesday evening.

With Ancelotti expected to make a handful of changes in midweek, the likes of Toni Kroos, David Alaba, Federico Valverde and Rodrygo will all be hoping to make a full recall at the Bernabeu.

Rayo Vallecano

As for the visitors, while Rayo Vallecano might have returned from the World Cup’s winter break with their sights set on mounting a genuine European charge, the Little Thunderbolts have certainly failed to keep up that momentum. Missing out on a golden chance over the weekend as they slumped to a notorious 2-1 loss at home against leading relegation scrappers Espanyol, Andoni Iraola’s men have now lost three of their last four La Liga appearances. Signing off April with a nightmare performance as they suffered a 4-0 drumming at the hands of Elche, Los Franjirrojos have come free-falling out the top-half of the La Liga standings. Facing what will be another tough test when they travel across the Spanish capital on Wednesday evening, a huge part of Vallecano’s recent issues has come thanks to their struggles on the road. Last seen on their travels getting hit with a 3-1 defeat against Real Betis, Iraola’s men have collected just two points from their previous seven straight showdowns away from the Estadio de Vallecas.

Team News

In what could be a major boost for Vallecano on Wednesday evening, Los Franjirrojos are set to welcome back the duo of Mario Suarez and Oscar Valentin on Wednesday evening. Iraola has no fresh injury concerns to worry about when his squad travels across Madrid in midweek.

Making his return from a knock earlier in the month, former Atletico Madrid superstar Radamel Falcao could make a first La Liga start since opening 2023. Likewise, 22-year-old Sergio Camello will also be hoping for a full recall at the Bernabeu.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two Madrid rivals last met on November 7th, Rayo Vallecano picked up a famous 3-2 victory at the Estadio de Vallecas.
• However, Wednesday’s guests have collected just two points from any of their previous seven La Liga appearances on the road.
• Including a 4-0 defeat against Elche on April 29th, Los Franjirrojos have shipped 13 goals in their previous five La Liga away fixtures.
• Likewise, including a 1-0 loss away at Valencia over the weekend, Real Madrid have won just a pair of their last six appearances across all competitions.
• Nevertheless, Los Blancos have suffered just a single domestic defeat at the Bernabeu this season.

Conclusion

Watching their domestic and European dreams go up in smoke, Real Madrid are simply trying to find some kind of boost in midweek. However, despite mustering just a pair of wins from their previous six appearances across all competitions, the Spanish icons will be glad to make a return to home soil here. Desperate to claim Madrid bragging rights when Vallecano arrive at the Bernabeu on Wednesday evening, Ancelotti’s inconsistent squad have still suffered just a single domestic defeat in front of their own supporters this season. Although Los Franjirrojos might have snatched that famous 3-2 win when they welcomed the now-former champions across Madrid on November 7th, Vallecano have continued to show a string of away day issues. Mustering just two points from their previous seven La Liga showdowns away from the Estadio de Vallecas, we are expecting a home victory here.

Verdict: Real Madrid win

Best Odds: 3/4

Bookmaker: Dachbet