Real Madrid returns to action this Sunday to face Rayo Vallecano at Vallecas Stadium in Matchday 12 of La Liga. The loss to Liverpool in midweek Champions League play ended a six-game winning streak and brought the first real turbulence of the season for Xabi Alonso’s team. Even so, Los Blancos remain at the top of the league with a five-point lead over Barcelona and now aim to prove that the setback at Anfield is already behind them.
Rayo Vallecano in good form and ready to challenge the leader
Rayo Vallecano enters this clash with confidence. The dramatic comeback against Lech Poznan in the Conference League last Thursday lifted the team’s morale. After falling 2–0 behind, Rayo turned it around to win 3–2, with the decisive goal coming in the 49th minute of the second half. It was the kind of result that lightens the atmosphere and gives a much-needed boost during a demanding stretch of games.
In La Liga, Rayo sits in 10th place with 14 points and has been putting together a solid campaign. The team has four wins, two draws and five losses. Despite suffering a 4–0 defeat to Villarreal in its previous league match, Íñigo Pérez’s squad has won three of its last four games across all competitions. The main concern lies in the home record, with only five points earned from four matches at Vallecas, something the coach is eager to fix.
In recent seasons, Rayo has managed to make things more competitive against Real Madrid, including a thrilling 3–3 draw at Vallecas in last year’s league meeting.
Real Madrid under pressure to assert dominance
The defeat at Anfield snapped Real Madrid’s strong run but doesn’t erase what the team has shown in recent weeks. The away form in La Liga remains impressive, with 12 points from five matches, the best record in the league.
Trips to Vallecas are often tricky, but the visitors remain clear favorites. Xabi Alonso’s squad needs a convincing response to keep Barcelona from closing the gap in the title race. If Real Madrid maintains the same level of efficiency it had before the loss at Anfield, it should have every chance to leave Vallecas with all three points.