Rayo Vallecano - Real Madrid predictions and free betting tips [18/02/2024]

On Sunday, 18 February, as part of the 25th round of Spanish Primera, Rayo Vallecano will host Real Madrid. Los Blancos are leading the league table, outdoing the following Girona by five points, while Rayo has dropped to the 14th spot and has pulled seven points away from the relegation zone.

Predicted Lineups

Rayo Vallecano: Dimitrievski; Balliu, Mumin, Lejeune, Espino; Valentin, Ciss; Palazon, K Perez, A Garcia; Camello.
Real Madrid: Lunin; Carvajal, Tchouameni, Nacho, F Garcia; Valverde, Kroos, Camavinga; Joselu; Rodrygo, Vinicius.

Stadium

The match will take place in Madrid at the Campo de Vallecas stadium.

Rayo Vallecano

Rayo Vallecano quickly realized that they have no place in the race for the Europa League zone, and the Madrid club is now content with a comfortable stay in the middle of the league table. The hosts are 14th overall with a comfortable seven-point margin from the 18th-placed Cadiz, hence the team is surely expecting a calm end to the championship. Last weekend, the Red-whites suffered their fourth defeat in the last five rounds - 2:1 against Mallorca, which led to the dismissal of head coach Francisco Rodriguez, who had been at the helm for two seasons, – Rayo will now be led by Iñigo Perez.

It's important to note that Madrid's performance at home this season is simply atrocious: they've only got 8 points in 11 home games, scored 10 goals, and conceded twice as many.  The majority of the team's players will be ready for this mini-derby in Madrid, with the exception of a possible absence of Mendes due to injury. 

Real Madrid

Real Madrid solidified its position at the top of the table by thrashing Girona 4:0 at Santiago Bernabeu. This victory provided Los Blancos with a five-point lead over the Catalans and, even more importantly, a ten-point gap from Barcelona. This season, the Royal Club has only lost once in La Liga – in the derby against Atletico (in September). Last Tuesday, Real Madrid faced RB Leipzig in the first match of the Champions League 1/8 finals and triumphed thanks to the sole goal of Brahim Diaz in the second half (0:1).

Carlo Ancelotti's team claimed three consecutive away victories in La Liga and has the division's best away record, scoring 29 points in 12 matches. It goes without saying that Los Blancos have the best attack (netted 52 goals) and defence (conceded only 15 goals) in the championship… Ancelotti is forced to do without the injured Alaba, Militao, Rudiger, and Courtois (all with ruptured cruciate ligaments), as well as Bellingham (16 goals, La Liga's top scorer, brace against Girona) and Brahim Diaz (7 goals), the latter being injured this week in Leipzig. 

Head-to-Head

Rayo Vallecano has only lost one out of the last three matches against Real Madrid, and even triumphed on their home ground last season with a score of 3:2. The first-round match ended in a goalless draw.

Match Prediction Rayo Vallecano vs. Real Madrid

Rayo will try to exploit Real Madrid's hectic schedule and their injury woes, but the hosts are in such dreadful form that it's difficult to envision their success against the league leader. Los Blancos are on the upswing, and the reserve players desperately need to prove their worth due to personnel losses. Los Blancos are simply of a higher class and should secure the routine three points.

Total Goals Prediction

Real Madrid has only conceded one goal in their last four matches in all competitions, and are unlikely to invest all their efforts in attacking their opponent's goal. We confidently predict a total goals under 3.

Corners Prediction

Without a doubt, Real Madrid will dominate possession throughout the 90 minutes and will triumph in all key aspects, including corners (handicap -1.5).

Yellow Card Prediction

Rayo will have to commit a lot of fouls to keep up with the opponent's rapid flanks. I expect the hosts to win in terms of yellow cards.

Score Prediction

I'll place a bet on the exact score of 0:1 in favour of Real Madrid.