Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid Prediction & Betting Tips (14 December)

It was about time! Rayo Vallecano rediscovered the taste of victory in the league last weekend by beating Valencia to the smallest of margins at Mestalla 0-1, thus stopping the bleeding after 3 consecutive defeats suffered against Athletic Bilbao at home 1-2, Sevilla FC away 1-0, and Las Palmas, once again at home 1-3. It is also the only time that Rayo has lost two successive league matches at home this season, thus seeing itself relegated to 12th place in La Liga. We can also recall that the locals qualified for the 1/16 finals of the Copa del Rey and will challenge Racing Club Ferrol, a 2nd division club. By clearly winning on the Girona lawn last weekend 0 -3, Real Madrid bounced back well after their defeat a few days earlier in San Mamés against Athletic Bilbao in an advanced match of the 19th day 2-1 including a missed penalty from Mbappé. And although it has been announced half-heartedly this season, the Merengue are clearly in the running for the title since in the event of a victory this evening, they would provisionally take the leading position from FC Barcelona who are considered to be the one of the best Barça for many years and who especially had a 9 point lead after the Clasico last October.

This is the paradox of Real Madrid which, even in bad shape, remains competitive in all competitions. To discuss the Champions League, Casa Blanca was traveling on Tuesday evening to Atalanta, leader of the SA and on a series of 9 successive victories in all competitions. At the end of a tight and spectacular match, the Madrilenians ended up winning 2-3 to stay alive in the race for qualification. 

Announced ill, Raul de Tomas has nevertheless been going through a pretty ordeal since his arrival at the club two and a half years ago after a great campaign with Espanyol Barcelona which opened the doors to the selection for him. He will probably be absent this evening like Pelayo Fernandez who is very unimportant in Rayo's rotation. Note that the Colombian international and MVP of the last Copa America, James Rodriguez, did not play a single minute in the last 3 championship matches (70 minutes in contrast in the Copa del Rey...). Absent from the trip to Girona, Vinicius Jr (8 goals, 5 assists in La Liga) made his return against Bergamo (1 goal, 1 assist). He will probably be lined up from the start this evening while his compatriot Rodrygo should continue after having had to replace Mbappé at short notice on Tuesday evening.

The Frenchman actually came out injured after a very good start to the match marked by a great goal. Both Brazilians are clearly playing below their capabilities and they are still at risk of a possible relapse. As a bonus, remember that the captains Carvajal and Militao will not play again this season (ruptured cruciate ligaments). Camavinga will be too fair, the same for Alaba who should find the group during the trip to Saudi Arabia for the Spanish Super Cup. Kylian Mbappé scored his 9th goal in La Liga with his new club against Girona with a marvelous cross shot from an almost impossible angle. But the captain of the France team is said to be suffering from a strain in his ischios and he should not be present. Jude Bellingham has scored 6 goals in his last 7 matches with Real TCC.