Real Madrid will have a golden opportunity to topple Barcelona in La Liga standings when they take on Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.
After finishing 17th last season, Vallecano made a good start this season, losing only two games in the first eight. Inigo Perez’s side comes into this contest after two wins on the trot in the league.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid hasn’t looked their best this season, but they have managed to keep themselves in the hunt for the title. Los Blancos edged Italian club Atalanta 3-2 in their UEFA Champions League contest mid-week and will like to carry the momentum.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the latest lineup news.
Rayo Vallecano vs. Real Madrid live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this La Liga match in the U.S.:
TV channel: —
Live stream: ESPN+
This game is not available for live TV broadcast in the United States in the English language. Streaming options are available on ESPN+.
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What time does Rayo Vallecano vs. Real Madrid kick off?
This La Liga clash takes place at the Estadio de Vallecas, in Madrid, Spain, and kicks off on Saturday, December 14 at 9:00 p.m. local time.
Here’s how that time translates across the U.S.:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Eastern Time | Sat, Dec. 14 | 3:00 p.m. |
| Central Time | Sat, Dec. 14 | 2:00 p.m. |
| Mountain Time | Sat, Dec. 14 | 1:00 p.m. |
| Pacific Time | Sat, Dec. 14 | 12:00 p.m. |
Rayo Vallecano vs. Real Madrid predicted lineups, team news
Rayo Vallecano will be without Raul de Tomas, who is down with illness.
Adri Embarba may earn the recall to the starting XI after heroics in Copa del Rey.
Perez will also monitor Randy Nteka, Isi Palazon, Pep Chavarria, and Pathe Ciss, who have pushed for the selection with domestic performances.
Rayo Vallecano predicted lineup (4-4-2, right to left): Batalla (GK)— Ratiu, Lejeune, Mumin, Chavarria—Palazon, Ciss, Valentin, A Garcia— Nteka, Embarba
Injured: Raul de Tomas
Suspended: None
Real Madrid received a big boost with the return of Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo, and Jude Bellingham against Atalanta.
Kylian Mbappe was forced off the field in the 36th minute against Atlanta but Carlo Ancelotti is confident the former PSG star will find match fitness before Saturday.
Los Blancos will miss Ferland Mendy who sustained a muscular injury against Girona. Fran Garcia will continue to operate as a left-back. Meanwhile, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Dani Carvajal, and Eduardo Camavinga will remain sidelined due to injuries.
Real Madrid predicted lineup (4-3-2-1, right to left): Courtois (GK)— Vazquez, Tchouameni, Rudiger, F Garcia— Valverde, Bellingham, Modric— Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr.
Injured: Alaba, Militao, Carvajal, Camavinga, Mendy
Suspended: None
Rayo Vallecano vs. Real Madrid Prediction
The return of Vinicus Jr, and Rodrygo in the XI provided much-needed offensive stability in their previous game. The visitors have been inconsistent this season but are expected to get to job done against Vallecano.
- Prediction: Real Madrid 2-1 Rayo Vallecano
La Liga fixture schedule this week
All times ET
Friday, December 13
- Real Valladolid vs. Valencia (3:00 p.m.)
Saturday, December 14
- Espanyol vs. Osasuna (8:00 a.m.)
- Mallorca vs. Girona (10:15 a.m.)
- Sevilla FC vs. Celta Vigo (12:30 p.m.)
- Rayo Vallecano vs. Real Madrid (3:00 p.m.)
Sunday, December 15
- Atlético Madrid vs. Getafe (8:00 a.m.)
- Alavés vs. Athletic Bilbao (10:15 a.m.)
- Villarreal vs. Real Betis (12:30 p.m.)
- Real Sociedad vs. UD Las Palmas (12:30 p.m.)
- Barcelona vs. Leganés (3:00 p.m.)
