Real Madrid return to La Liga duties with little room for error after a thrilling Champions League win over city rivals Atletico on Tuesday.
Last Saturday’s defeat at Real Betis means the reigning champions started Sunday in third, two points behind Atleti and three off leaders Barcelona.
Betis have taken points from five of the last eight meetings between the teams and will go sixth in the table above Betis if they cause an upset.
101GreatGoals.com has you covered for the line-ups, team news and confirmed starting sides from Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano.
👕🔢 All set in our dressing room!
🔵 #PreparationIsEverything pic.twitter.com/a7ojjTBUyc— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 9, 2025
Real Madrid lineup vs Rayo Vallecano
England attacker Jude Bellingham is available after suspension for Madrid and starts, with Luka Modric in midfield as captain.
Those are two of six changes made by manager Carlo Ancelotti. Andriy Lunin, David Alaba, Lucas Vazquez and Fran Garcia, also come in, with Thibaut Courtois, Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy, Eduardo Camavinga and Brahim Diaz among those making way.
The versatile Federico Valverde had been a doubt and is initially kept in reserve this time, with the crucial second leg against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday (8pm GMT).
The hosts remain without defenders Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal and Jesus Vallejo.
Real Madrid starting XI: Courtois, Vazquez, Asencio, Alaba, Garcia, Modric, Tchouameni, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius
Subs: Gonzalez, Mestre, Camavinga, Valverde, Arda Guler, Endrick, Brahim Diaz, Mendy
🏟️ Santiago Bernabéu 🏟️ pic.twitter.com/cEyNkI9BlH
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 9, 2025
Vallecano lineup vs Madrid
The visitors have right-winger Jorge de Frutos banned and face a wide list of injuries of their own, including forward Raul de Tomas and midfielder Unai Lopez.
Rayo Vallecano starting XI: TBA
Subs: TBA
