Real Madrid travel to Rayo Vallecano to pile the pressure on Atletico Madrid and Barcelona with both of them just a point ahead of Real who will be sniffing around for a slip up.
Rayo Vallecano, however, may have other ideas as Paco Jemez’s men take hope from their recent run of form to dent Real Madrid’s late hope for a title charge. The battle promises to be a feisty one as the two teams square off to further their own end of season agendas.
Kickoff and Live Telecast
Channel:
Date and Time: 23rd April, 2016; 07:30 P.M. IST
Venue: Estadio De Valecas
Live Stream: http://www.starsports.com/football/leagues/spanish-la-liga-100054/index.html
Team News
Real Madrid
Real Madrid may well be without the services of Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo as both players nurse different injuries. Casemiro meanwhile is suspended for the game and Real may well field Toni Kroos at the base of midfield with Modric and one of James and Isco partnering them. Lucas Vazquez is set to continue in the place of the absent Gareth Bale.
Rayo Vallecano
This Rayo side will be without the services of Diego Llorente who will be ineligible to play against his parent club. Ze Castro and Jose Angel Crespo are likely to be sidelined with minor injuries as well. Miku should, however, continue in the starting 11 in the absence of Javi Guerra and Raul Baena hopeful of making the starting 11 as well in spite of injury.
Probable Lineups
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Keylor; Danilo, Pepe, Ramos, Nacho; Isco, Kroos, Modric; Jese, Vazquez, Benzema
Rayo Vallecano(4-2-3-1): Carlos; Tito, Crespo, Amaya, Quini; Trashorras, Baena; Embarba, Bebe, Hernandez; Miku
Form
Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano are 16th in the La Liga table and are still short of safety from relegation with a mere 3 points separating them from a relegation spot. However, their recent record has been somewhat better with only one loss for Paco Jemez’s charges in the last five games. During this time, they’ve won twice and drawn two other games to push out of the relegation spots.
Last 5 Matches: D-W-L-W-D ( Last Match: Malaga 1-2 Rayo Vallecano)
Real Madrid
Real Madrid take to the game with the chance of a really late title challenge still possible, considering Barcelona are only a point away from them at the top of the table. The Madristas will need to keep the pressure up on Barcelona as Zinedine Zidane’s men step into the mix having lost only away to Wolfsburg in their last five games in all competitions. Real beat Villarreal last match quite comfortably and will hope to do the same this time around as well.
Last 5 Matches: L-W-W-W-W (Last Match: Real Madrid 3-0 Villarreal)
Key Stats:
- Real Madrid have won their last 12 matches against Rayo Vallecano in all competitions.
- Real Madrid have won their last 8 La Liga matches.
- Real Madrid have scored at least 2 goals in each of their last 8 La Liga matches.
- Real Madrid have scored at least 2 goals against Rayo Vallecano in their last 7 meetings in all competitions.
Key Battles:
Karim Benzema vs Jose Angel Crespo
Karim Benzema has had a great season and is one of the reasons Real Madrid are still in with a shout at the La Liga title after the Team having, by most people’s opinions, a fairly poor season.
Karim Benzema can turn the game on its head and without his usual partners in crime Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale flanking him on either side, Benzema has his work cut out for him as he looks to follow up on his 2 goals and 3 assists in his last two games.
Up against him will be Jose Angel Crespo who at this time will be the one player who could stand in between Real Madrid and three points almost quite literally as he marshals his defense for the tie. Having only recently found favor with Paco Jemez, this could be a big game for the player if he is to continue in the heart of defense for this team.
Roberto Trashorras vs Luka Modric
Roberto Trashorras is to Rayo Vallecano what Luka Modric is to Real Madrid. He makes the Rayo side click and recycle play by pulling strings from roaming around the pitch. With age catching up to the Spaniard, his output has not really been getting any better. However, with 2 goals and 7 assists in this Rayo side from the middle of the park isn’t as bad a return as some make it out to be.
Luka Modric will be operating in just about the same area of the pitch that Roberto Trashorras will and therefore it may well be their task to see each other’s games out of this match. The game is heavily tipped in Real Madrid’s favor by anyone’s imagination but this little battle might just be able to tip the balance in any direction.
If the Spaniard has a good evening, Real Madrid might find it tough to gather the points they need but if the Croatian is on his game, there’s not much Rayo can do to stop Madrid.
Prediction
Real Madrid have too much about them in spite of all the changes in the line up they are expected to make. Rayo Vallecano may be in with a chance but it is a rather minute one. It should be an interesting game though.
Rayo Vallecano 1-2 Real Madrid
Betting Odds:
Rayo Vallecano- 8/1; Draw- 5/1; Real Madrid- 3/10 via Bet365
