La Liga
Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid Preview
Last placed Rayo Vallecano welcome Los Blancos to Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas on Sunday where they will contest a much needed three points. Zinedine Zidane’s men will hardly feel like visitors considering the stadium is a mere 18 minutes away by bus. However, the Frenchman’s lackluster side will face a team with everything to lose.
Rayo coach Paco Jémez needs his players to pick up points in all of their remaining matches if they hope to escape the relegation zone. Currently, his team shares the bottom of the table with Huesca and Girona. Fortunately for the Spanish coach, both face tough opposition on Sunday as well.
Team News
At the moment, Madrid has little to play for. With third placed locked down, every match appears to be a try out for next season. As a result, the Spanish giant’s lineup has been shuffled match after match.
Defenders Sergio Ramos and Alvaro Odriozola remain injured while Vinicius Jr. may make an appearance. The young Brazilian has been injured since March 5th and looks to be close to a return.
On the other hand, the hosts are without any new injuries. Only Gorka Elustondo remains on the sidelines while striker Raul de Tomas is ineligible to play against Real Madrid.
Rumors are circulating that Rayo requested that their neighbors allow de Tomas to play considering the importance of the match. However, so far no such permission has been granted.
Lineups and Prediction
Rayo Vallecano: Garcia; Velazquez, Galvez, Amat; Embarba, Agbo, Kakuta, Suarez, Moreno; Di Santo, Guerra
Real Madrid: Navas; Carvajal, Nacho, Varane, Marcelo; Modric, Kroos, Casemiro; Asensio, Benzema, Brahim Diaz
The loss of de Tomas for Vallecano is a huge blow. The 24 year old has 14 goals in the league so far and is very much the center of his teams attack. Having taken 86 shots on goal this year, only Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez have more.
Meanwhile, Rayo’s opponents have been disappointing in attack. The whites finished a goalless draw versus Getafe mid-week and have relied almost exclusively on Karim Benzema for goals in recent weeks.
Regardless, Zidane’s team will most likely run out winners for a 12th straight time against their neighbors. In effect, making their climb out of relegation a steep and unlikely one.
Rayo Vallecano 0 – 2 Real Madrid
Follow us on YouTube and Twitter
Written by Chris Cartwright
Follow me on Twitter
Photo credit to Real Madrid via Flickr
