Primera Division Gameweek 26
Feb 26, 2022 KO: 17:30

Rayo Vallecano - Real Madrid

Estadio del Rayo Vallecano Madrid
Referee: Isidro Díaz de Mera
  83' Benzema

Match preview

Kroos back in - How Real Madrid could line up against Rayo Vallecano

Toni Kroos was rested for last weekend's league match against Alaves but should return to the starting XI for Real Madrid

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti will likely reinstate Toni Kroos back into the team's starting XI for Saturday's Primera Division game against city rivals Rayo Vallecano.

The World Cup winner was given a rare rest last weekend as Real Madrid comfortably dispatched of Alaves 3-0 thanks to goals from Marco Asensio, Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema.

Against Alaves, Federico Valverde started in place of Kroos, but the Uruguayan has been struggling with illness this week so it should be a relatively simply choice for Ancelotti to bring Kroos back in.

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Mariano Diaz is also nearing full fitness after a pelvic problem so the Italian boss has a full strength squad to choose from for this one.

Thibaut Courtois will start in goal behind the first-choice back four of Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba and Ferland Mendy.

The only likely change from the Alaves win will come in midfield with the aforementioned swap involving Kroos and Valverde, with Luka Modric and Casemiro continuing.

Vinicius Junior and Benzema are two of the first names on the teamsheet these days and will continue in the final third, with Asensio retaining his spot after his goal versus Alaves.

The likes of Rodrygo, Gareth Bale and Eden Hazard will have to settle for a place on the bench again.

Predicted Real Madrid XI v Rayo

Match statistics

Rayo Vallecano
Statistics
Real Madrid
Games Played
20
20
 
Results
 
Wins
9
14
Draws
3
3
Losses
8
3
 
Goals Scoring
 
Goals Scored
20
34
Goals Per Game
1.00
1.70
More > 2.5 Goals
7
9
More > 3 Goals
2
4
Scored First in a Match
9
12
Scored Both Halves
3
8
Won More > 1 Goal
3
8
 
Other
 
Goals Conceded
22
12
Did Not Score
6
5
Both Teams Scored
9
7
Kept Clean Sheet
6
10
Won Without Conceding
5
8
Games Played
20
20
 
Possession
 
Touches
-
-
Possession
-
-
Passes
-
-
 
Attacking
 
Total Shots
15
16
Shots on Target
5.06
6.42
Goals out of Shots
0.07
0.11
Crosses
-
-
Offsides
3.00
2.81
Penalties
0.10
0.20
 
Defensive
 
Clean Sheets
0.30
0.50
Tackles Won
-
-
Clearances
-
-
Interceptions
-
-
Own Goals
0.00
0.00
Aerials Won
-
-
Total Shots Conceded
11
12
Shots on Target Conceded
4.05
3.89
Goals out of Shots Conceded
0.10
0.07
 
Discipline
 
Fouls
15
10.00
Yellow Cards
2.45
2.00
Red Cards
0.00
0.10