Real Madrid’s home resilience will be tested once again when Rayo Vallecano visits the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, November 6.
The club has failed to win any of their last home games in the league, taking home two points and losing four drawing that time. Villarreal and Osasuna have been the teams to pick up draws at the Bernabeu in the league while Sheriff Tiraspol also beat Madrid there in the UEFA Champions League.
Madrid comes into this game at the back of a 2-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League in midweek, with Karim Benzema’s brace powering the Los Blancos to a home victory.
Rayo Vallecano will also be hoping to return to winning ways after their goalless draw with Celta Vigo last weekend. The promoted side have won six of the 12 games so far this season, drawing two and losing four.
Against Madrid away from home, Rayo has failed to win any of their last 10 games across all competitions. They last won at the Bernabeu in January 1996 – a 2-1 win.
WHERE AND WHEN?
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu
Date: Saturday, November 6
Time: 20:00 GMT
TEAM NEWS
Carlo Ancelotti will still be without Federico Valverde, Mariano Diaz and Rodrygo Goes while Gareth Bale could get some minutes before the international break. The manager is not expected to make too many changes to his starting lineup but Eden Hazard is likely to be given a starting berth.
For Rayo, Andoni Iraola’s only worry is the absence of Martin Merquelanz, who is still out through injury. But everyone else is available for selection against Madrid.
Radamel Falcao is expected to keep his place in the starting lineup after a bright start to his second spell in Spain.
POSSIBLE LINEUPS
Madrid: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Hazard, Benzema, Vinicius.
Rayo Vallecano: Dimitrievski; Balliu, Saveljich, Catena, F Garcia; Ciss, Comesana; Palazon, Trejo, A Garcia; Falcao.
PREDICTION
Real Madrid 2-1 Rayo Vallecano
