Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano verdict, predicted score, key stats and suggested bets
- Seb Sternik
- 23 May 2023
Real Madrid will be desperate to avoid a third straight defeat in all competitions when they welcome Rayo Vallecano to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
With the league and European titles out of reach, Real Madrid's motivation stems purely from pride when they return to action on Wednesday night.
Date, KO time and TV coverage
La Liga, Wednesday May 24, Kick-off 6.30pm, live on Viaplay Sports 1
Predicted score
Suggested bets
Real Madrid to win and both teams to score
Real Madrid -1 Handicap
Over 2.5 goals
Key stats
Real Madrid have won just one of their last four games in all competitions.
Rayo Vallecano have lost 11 straight games at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid have won five of their last six games at home.
Rayo Vallecano last beat Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in 1996.
Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano team news
Following his controversial red card against Valencia, Vinicius Jr will not be available for Wednesday's encounter. Mariano Diaz and Eden Hazard are both doubts and could end up on the sidelines.
Rayo Vallecano, meanwhile, will be without Mario Suarez, who is suspended.
Verdict
Real Madrid's sorry run of form continued last weekend as Los Blancos faced a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Valencia.
Despite the surprise result, it was the racist abuse endured by Vinicius Jr which made global headlines - and even featured in a G7 press conference.
The Brazilian forward, who was sent off at the Mestalla, slammed La Liga on social media for their lack of action against racist abuse from the stands.
The 22-year-old will not be available on Wednesday as Real Madrid look to return to winning ways against city rivals Rayo Vallecano.
Carlo Ancelotti's men have stuttered their way through these final weeks of the season, and they enter their midweek clash having won just one of their last four outings.
Consistency has been a big issue for Los Blancos, with the team failing to win back-to-back games since April.
On the plus side, Ancelotti and his men can always rely on the home comforts of the Santiago Bernabeu, where they have won five of their last six games.
The same cannot be said for Vallecano for whom the Bernabeu represents a house of horrors.
Andoni Iraola's men have suffered 11 consecutive defeats at the famous ground - conceding 23 goals in their last five visits alone.
Motivation is also questionable for the visitors. While a spot in Europe was on the cards just a few weeks ago, a run of three defeats in four games has significantly diminished their hopes of continental soccer.
Bearing in mind all the facts and stats, our recommendation is to back the hosts to bag a comfortable victory.
Real have only kept one clean sheet in eight outings, meaning a home win and both teams to score is our tip for Wednesday's Madrid derby.
