Who: Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid What: Liga BBVA Matchday 35 When: Saturday, April.23 Where: Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas Time: 16:00 CET Overview Raul Baena's second-half goal gave Rayo Vallecano a share of the spoils against Malaga, leaving the Madrid club three points above the relegation zone with four games to go. The Vallecas outfit have lost their last 15 league meetings with Real Madrid. Javi Guerra and Ze Castro are expected to be available despite suffering knocks in the Malaga match, but Piti, David Cobeno and Patrick Ebert all remain sidelined through injury. Karim Benzema, Lucas Vasquez and Luka Modric all got on the scoresheet as Real Madrid dispatched Villarreal 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu in midweek. Zinedine Zidane could rest some of his big players in the Rayo match with an eye on the Champions League semi-final first leg against Manchester City three days later. Ronaldo suffered a muscle injury in the Villarreal game but should be fit, while Gareth Bale (leg) could also return. What managers say Paco Jemez: "We're immunised, we know we're going to suffer until the end. It doesn't affect us, nor are we preoccupied with what happens to us. We didn't deserve to win [against Malaga], we had chances. We had it in hand, we knew the importance but we didn't defend well. We had to make three changes for three injuries, and that caused enormous damage. We had the best chances but we lacked poise. We have tough games but I think we can cope against Real Madrid." Zinedine Zidane: "We are sticking with what we are doing well, working well. The team today was phenomenal [against Villarreal] from minute one until the end. We won back many balls, attacked well, created many chances, we were almost perfect in defence. I am very happy with the attitude of all the players. We are just a point back still. We will continue with our football, our idea, what we have been doing. Nothing has changed." Form guide Rayo Vallecano: DWLWD Last result: Malaga 1-1 Rayo Vallecano Real Madrid (all competitions): WWWWL Last result: Real Madrid 3-0 Villarreal Betting odds (Betfair) Rayo Vallecano win: 9/1 Draw: 9/2 Real Madrid win: 2/7 Team news Rayo Vallecano possible XI: Carlos; Quini, Amaya, Ze Castro, Tito; Hernandez, Baena, Trashorras, Embarba; Miku, Guerra Real Madrid possible XI: Navas; Danilo, Pepe, Varane, Nacho; Kovacic, Kroos, Rodriguez; Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale Just hope we can keep the form up and continue our winning ways. HALA MADRID!
Time for some of our bench players to step up and keep the momentum going. Seeing some encouraging stuff from most of them, even Danilo had some confidence this week.
Early goal, kill it off. If there was ever a 3 points and GTFO game, it's these last remaining Liga games.
I hope we have Bale starting this one. Want to see what its like with him out there without Cristiano, perhaps even starting on the left.
Bale - Benzema - Vazquez James - Kovacic - Isco Nacho - Ramos - Varane - Danilo Navas Let's get those 3 puntos and go home!
I'd rather he comes in the 2nd half because of his injury scare. Isco, James, and Vasquez should be enough to put the game away,
I hope Kovacic gets a chance. We could do with him getting into some good form, so we can be a little less reliant on Casemiro.
Finally Kovacic!!!! Keylor; Danilo, Varane, Pepe, Marcelo; Kroos, Kovacic, Isco; Jesé, Bale y Benzema. Hopefully Jesé from the leftwing
No Vasquez? Zidane truly loves rotations but the truth is that our subs are better than Rayo's squad....so they should win ..
Zidane is really trying to keep everyone fresh it seems. Sergio Casemiro and Modric are all getting plenty of rest. God I just hope Dani and CR are ready for Tuesday.
Vazquez plays on the right. I expected Jese to start on the left. Also glad to see Kova get some burn. Surprised to get Isco 2 games in a row and no James. James has been playing well, scoring, assisting, running and he's not even rotated any more. Oh well, hope Kova impresses
Jese did not start since Eibar - 4 matches ago - where he had a goal and an assist.. Seems like ZZ does not want forget about him despite Vasquez being in great form. Or perhaps Ronaldo is still in doubt for Tuesday...
Yeah but you can shift Bale to the left .. Or actually I was expecting Bale would start this game on the bench.. James has been better than Isco no question but not a noticeable difference.. Isco scored too and also sat the last game.
Yes no issue with Isco, just that seems like Zidane is in super rotation mode, yet he sits James out 2 games in a row in favor of Isco. That's a bit of a head scratcher to me