Real Madrid could make it nine consecutive league wins when they take on Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.
Real Madrid make the short trip to face their Madrilenian rivals Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, with both teams still having all to play for. Eight straight wins have moved Real to within a point of league leaders Barcelona and cross-town rivals Atléti, and Zinedine Zidane's side are back in with a shot of winning the La Liga title. With four games still to play, and Barça looking dodgy at the top, it's anyone's guess who'll emerge victorious.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the table, Rayo still aren't yet safe from relegation. Paco Jémez's side head into the weekend just three points and a couple of places clear of Sporting Gijón in the bottom three, with the relegation battle even more fiercely contested than the scrap for the league title. Real Madrid certainly shouldn't make the error of expecting an easy game.
Key player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
It remains to be seen whether Ronaldo will be risked in this match, as he's recently been feeling a slight strain in his hamstring. However, if he is declared fit to play, Rayo's task is going to be considerably more difficult. There's good reason to think Ronaldo will declare himself fit: Luis Suárez's four goals in Barcelona's thrashing of Deportivo La Coruña in midweek means the Uruguayan now trails the Real Madrid star by only one in the scoring charts, and Ronaldo will certainly want to get that individual honour sewn up as quickly as possible.
Recent history
Real Madrid have won the last four meetings with Rayo Vallecano by a combined 22-3. Almost half of those goals were scored in the reverse fixture at the Santiago Bernabéu, where Rafael Benítez's side ran out 10-2 winners, with both Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema scoring hat-tricks. Not since 1997 have Rayo Vallecano beaten Real Madrid, and not since 2000 have they avoided defeat.
Rayo Vallecano injuries and suspensions
Out: David Cobeño (back); Patrick Ebert (Achilles); Toño (knee); Diego Llorente (ineligible). In doubt: Javi Guerra (face); Zé Castro, Raúl Baena (unspecified); Piti (ankle); Răzvan Raț (shoulder).
Real Madrid injuries and suspensions
Out: Casemiro (suspended). In doubt: Dani Carvajal (muscle fatigue); Cristiano Ronaldo (hamstring).
Rayo have a lengthy injury list, though are hopeful that five of the players currently unavailable will recover in time to play. Real Madrid's only confirmed absentee is midfielder Casemiro, though full-back Carvajal and attacker Ronaldo both face late fitness tests.
Match date/time: Saturday, April 23, 10 a.m. ET, 4 p.m. local
Venue: Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas, Madrid, Spain
TV: beIN Sports (US and Canada - English); beIN SPORTS en Español (US and Canada - Spanish)
Online: beIN Sports Connect (US and Canada); fuboTV (US)
No comments:
Post a Comment