Real Madrid look to bounce back against Rayo Vallecano in Madrid's 'mini-derby'

Before kickoff

Real Madrid, coached by José Mourinho, sit third in LaLiga with nine points from four matches. Last weekend the team suffered an unexpected 0-1 defeat to Real Betis, but bounced back midweek with a 2-1 Champions League win over Inter Milan, a match in which Kylian Mbappé shone. Rayo Vallecano, on four points, sit 14th, but travel to Madrid in good spirits after picking up their first win of the season, coming from behind to beat Racing de Santander 3-2 thanks to a brace from Sergio Camello.

Both squads face absences. Real Madrid remain without the injured Militão, Rodrygo and Mendy, though defender Asencio has returned to full training. Rayo will be missing Jorge de Frutos and Fran Pérez, both sent off in their last match, along with several injured players; Kumbulla and Balliu are doubtful.

History favours Real Madrid

According to Opta, Real Madrid have won 13 of their last 14 home league meetings with Rayo Vallecano, with the only exception a 0-0 draw in November 2023; across those matches the hosts have scored 46 goals and conceded 12. Looking at the last 11 meetings overall, Rayo have taken points on six occasions (two wins, two draws, five losses), following a run of 17 consecutive defeats before that. beIN Sports, however, cites a different sample — in the last five meetings, Real Madrid have won twice and drawn the other three, most recently a 2-1 win on February 1 this year.

In Madrid derbies overall, Real Madrid have lost two of their last six meetings with the capital's clubs, while Rayo have won their last two encounters, though they have never won three derbies in a row in their history. Mourinho himself has won all four of his previous LaLiga matches against Rayo — a perfect record he otherwise holds only against Atlético Madrid and Athletic Bilbao, over six matches each.

Lineups and a debut in focus

Mourinho fielded an attacking side: Courtois; Dumfries, Konaté, Rüdiger, Carreras; Bernardo Silva, Valverde; Diomande, Bellingham, Vinícius, Mbappé. The headline is the first start for Yan Diomande, the club's record signing from RB Leipzig, confirmed in August. Rayo lined up with: Audero; Ratiu, Lejeune, Pathé Ciss, Pedrosa; Bouaré, Unai López; Tsitaishvili, Pedro Díaz, Álvaro García, Camello, with Audero making his debut in goal. As reported by Marca, the pre-match projected lineup had listed Güler and Camavinga instead of Diomande and Valverde, before the final selection changed.

Rayo Vallecano have scored in 11 consecutive league matches this season, 19 goals in total — their longest such run since April 2016.