Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid Predictions

• Rayo Vallecano have lost four successive league matches
• Real Madrid have won eight of their 12 away La Liga games
• Los Blancos have won 15 of the last 16 meetings between the two teams

Vallecano sinking down the table

Rayo Vallecano were pushing for a top four place in La Liga earlier in the season thanks to their brilliant home form, but they have won just one of their last five games at Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas.

Three of those matches have ended in defeat, while they have also four in a row at all venues, including recent losses in Madrid to Osasuna and Real Betis.

Andoni Iraola’s side now sit 11th in the table and are on a shocking run against their city rivals, with a 1-0 home win in April 2019 their only victory over Real since the 2001/02 Copa del Rey.

Inconsistent Real still tough to beat

Real Madrid’s lead at the top of La Liga has shrunk in recent weeks, but they have still only lost one of their last 17 league matches, a 1-0 defeat to Getafe in January.

This is only their second away league game of 2022, with the other ending in a 0-0 draw against Villarreal, but they have won eight of their 12 matches on the road.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side beat Alaves 3-0 at the Bernabeu last week, only their second win in seven, but they are unbeaten in five in La Liga and have still lost just twice.

Given Rayo Vallecano’s form, I expect Real Madrid to pick up a win in this one, but there might not be too many goals, so I select 2-0 as a correct score prediction.