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Real Madrid come into this round in one of their best spells of the league season, with five consecutive wins, four of them achieved in convincing fashion. After their European slip-up against Benfica, Álvaro Arbeloa’s side need to refocus on their domestic ambitions, where they have shown remarkable reliability, especially when taking the lead. What’s more, their record against teams in the lower half of the table has been almost flawless, underlining that this match is a clear opportunity to keep the pressure on Barcelona.
On the other side, Rayo Vallecano arrive in clear decline, with just one win in their last 11 league games and very little solidity away from home. Although they have managed to compete better against Madrid in recent years, their away form is worrying, especially in the second halves of games. History is not on their side either, as the Bernabéu remains almost an unbreachable fortress for the visitors.
Real Madrid v Rayo Vallecano Tips
Real Madrid Asian handicap (-1.5) - 1.70 @ bet365
Real Madrid to win to nil - 11/10 @ bet365
Real Madrid to score in both halves - 4/5 @ bet365
Odds correct at the time of writing, subject to change.
The Bernabéu demands a big win
Real Madrid are not just winning, they are doing so with room to spare. Six of their nine home victories this season have been by two goals or more, and their last four league wins at home have all surpassed that margin. This shows that when the team hits a good run, they tend to see games out with authority, without sitting back in the closing stages.
Rayo, meanwhile, struggle particularly away from Vallecas, especially after the break, where they have conceded more goals than any other away side. With Madrid often stepping up a gear in the second half and boasting a deep bench, the stage is set for a comfortable win. If Los Blancos take an early lead, something that often happens with the league’s top scorer in their ranks, this handicap looks very reasonable.
Tip: Real Madrid Asian handicap (-1.5) - 1.70 @ bet365
Bet Explanation: This bet wins if Madrid win by two goals or more.
Defence on lockdown
Under Arbeloa, Los Blancos have started with defensive solidity, keeping clean sheets in his first two league matches in charge. The team are giving little away at home and manages the tempo well, especially against sides like Rayo who focus on defensive organisation.
Rayo, for their part, are struggling to create sustained danger, particularly away from home. In recent matches, they have relied on isolated moments or set pieces. Moreover, their poor attacking record on the road, combined with Madrid’s territorial dominance, makes it unlikely they will find the net. If Madrid dictates the pace from the start, the “win to nil” bet offers real value.
Tip: Real Madrid to win to nil - 11/10 @ bet365
Bet Explanation: This bet wins if Rayo fail to score and Madrid win.
Early goal, late blow
One of Real Madrid’s great strengths this season has been their ability to start games strongly. With Mbappé as their main man, the team tend to create chances from the off, and have opened the scoring more often than any other side since last season. This makes an early goal before half-time very likely.
In the second half, Madrid usually maintain or even increase their intensity, taking advantage of the opposition’s fatigue. Rayo are also one of the teams that concede most goals after the break when playing away. With space to exploit and quality options on the bench, Los Blancos often find the net late on, making a goal in each half a logical prediction.
Tip: Real Madrid to score in both halves - 4/5 @ bet365
Bet Explanation: This bet wins if Rayo fail to score and Madrid win
Real Madrid v Rayo Vallecano odds
Real Madrid win - 1/4 @ bet365
Rayo Vallecano win - 11/1 @ bet365
Odds correct at the time of writing, subject to change.
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Odds correct at the time of writing, subject to change.