Real Madrid are having a rare season based on their standards in recent years, where the business end does not have any stakes other than a fight for second place in La Liga. This fight will see them host Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabeu, with kickoff slated for 17:30 GMT.
The deposed champions will look to regain their second spot from their city rivals Atletico Madrid in the final three matches.
Vallecano are looking to earn a top-half finish in their final three matches, with the three sides above them within two points.
Key Highlights
Real Madrid’s Low-Stakes Business End
After Manchester City comprehensively beat them in the Champions League semi-final, and Barcelona were crowned La Liga champions, Real Madrid’s season was effectively over.
To make matters worse, their loss at Valencia has allowed their city rivals Atletico Madrid to leapfrog them to second on the table.
Carlo Ancelotti’s have no choice but to respond on the pitch at the Bernabeu when they host Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday, as they play the last three La Liga matches this season.
The Italian gaffer will need to ensure that his side are motivated for the last three matches as they navigate a barren end to the season.
Los Blancos fans hope that the sight of Atletico Madrid ahead of Real on the table will motivate the players to have a strong finish to the season and ensure that they demonstrate strength ahead of next season.
Bet hereRayo Vallecano’s Top Half Finish Bid
Rayo Vallecano have been dropping down the table instead of climbing it in the last five matches. They have won twice in their last five outings while losing three times in this run.
They currently sit 11th on the La Liga table, even as they look to climb onto the top half of the log in the final three rounds of La Liga fixtures.
With their 46 points, Rayo Vallecano are one point behind 10th-placed Osasuna and two points behind 8th-placed Girona and 9th-placed Sevilla. This gives Vallecano a chance of leapfrogging these teams if they win their matches and take advantage of any slip-ups in the business end.
However, they will need to improve their form ahead of the trip to Real Madrid; this is especially the case because they have lost their last two matches at Real Betis (3-1) and at home to Espanyol (1-2).
Injury Report
Real Madrid
All the injuries at Real Madrid have cleared up in the run-in. Carlo Ancelotti has a fully fit squad ahead of welcoming Rayo Vallecano to the Santiago Bernabeu.
This will be a boost for Carlo Ancelotti as he will be able to pick a strong side to ensure the three points remain with the home side.
Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano will be without their striker Radamel Falcao. The 37-year-old is sidelined with a dead leg. The forward has been on the sidelines since April 15, 2023, and has missed six matches for Vallecano since.
The rest of the squad are fit and available for selection ahead of the trip to the capital to face Real Madrid.
Possible Lineups
Real Madrid
T. Courtois; F. mendy, A. Rudiger, E. Militao, L. Vazquez; E. Camavinga, A. Tchouameni, D. Ceballos; Rodrygo, K. Benzema. M. Asensio
Rayo Vallecano
S. Dimitrievski; I. Balliu, F. Lejeune, A. Catena, F. Garcia; I. Palazon, S. Comesana, P. Ciss, A. Garcia; O. Trejo, R. de Tomas
Prediction
Real Madrid will look to dominate the game at home, set the tempo, and create chances with movement and vertical passing.
Rayo Vallecano will look to be pragmatic, defend deep and narrow, and make it difficult to play through them.
Real Madrid will win the match and bounce back to winning form.
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