La Liga preview and odds: Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid

Published on: 22/04/2016

La Liga preview and odds: Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid

April 23, 2016 16:00pm - Estadio del Rayo Vallecano

La Liga

Rayo Vallecano will be protecting their three-point cushion over the relegation places when they welcome title-challengers Real Madrid to Vallecas on Saturday.

Three defeats in last 15 matches for Rayo

A run of 15 matches featuring just three defeats has helped to keep Rayo Vallecano out of the relegation for much of 2016. However, with just three points separating them and third-from-bottom Sporting Gijon, all that could change very quickly.

This weekend Paco Jemez`s men face the mighty challenge of city rivals Real Madrid as they go in search of a third-straight home win. They come into this game on the back of a 1-1 draw away to Malaga in midweek. Their only defeat in their last eight home matches came at the hands of Barcelona.

Real just one point back

As we enter the last four games of the season, Spanish giants Real Madrid are just one point behind their title rivals, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. A run of eight-straight wins has ensured that Los Blancos have taken full advantage of Barcelona`s recent blip in form. However, the Catalans bounced back with a big win in Galicia on Wednesday and still hold the advantage.

Zidane`s men come into this game on the back of a 3-0 win over fourth-ranked Villarreal. Away from home, they are unbeaten in eight, having won five and drawn the other three.

Team news

The home side`s ongoing injury crisis continues with Nacho Martinez, Piti, Patrick Ebert, David Cobeno, Razvan Rat and Tono Rodriguez all out of action, while Ze Castro remains a doubt.

The visitors have Daniel Carvajal and Gareth Bale on the sidelines, while Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe are both doubtful.

Recent form (League)

Rayo Vallecano: DWLWD

Real Madrid: WWWWW

Betting odds and tips

Rayo are once again putting up a real fight in La Liga despite their limited resources. If Ronaldo and Bale both miss out, the home side may stand a chance of getting a result - providing they are not still haunted by the 10-2 mauling that they suffered at the Bernabeu earlier in the campaign.

The Draw can be backed at 11/2 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 22/04/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (22/04/2016 07:43:22) but are subject to change.