Real Madrid have been drawing at both half time and full time in their last 3 matches against Rayo Vallecano in all competitions

Real Madrid are looking to keep pace with their La Liga title rivals when they take on Rayo Vallecano on Sunday afternoon.

The champions are third up this weekend, and they may well be six points behind league leaders Barcelona by the time they kick off against Rayo. Barca host Osasuna on Saturday night, while Atletico Madrid face a tricky trip to Getafe.

Madrid’s upcoming La Liga bout arrives in between their Champions League round of 16 tie against Atleti, and they’ll take a 2-1 lead into Wednesday’s second leg at the Metropolitano. Tuesday’s high-quality first leg laden with stunning goals was a mere taste of what we’ll enjoy next week.

Fortunately for the hosts, they’re facing a depleted Rayo side who are starting to fade. Inigo Perez’s side looked like European hopefuls when they rocked up to Barcelona last month, but they’ve failed to win in three and have surrendered sixth-place to the in-form Real Betis.

Jude Bellingham is available for selection after he served a two-game suspension in La Liga. The Englishman should come into the starting XI on Sunday ahead of Wednesday’s critical second leg across the capital.

There should be rests for Federico Valverde and Antonio Rudiger in defence, but Ancelotti has less room to manoeuvre higher up the pitch. Arda Guler may get a rare start, while Brahim Diaz could keep his place and operate down the left. Kylian Mbappe is likely to continue up top.

Jesus Vallejo, Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, and Dani Ceballos are out injured.

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Rayo Vallecano (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Vazquez, Asencio, Alaba, Garcia; Tchouameni, Modric; Guler, Bellingham, Brahim, Mbappe.

Injuries have played a role in Rayo’s recent blip, and the visitors will once again be without several key players on Sunday.

Their leading goalscorer in La Liga, Jorge de Frutos, is suspended, while Raul de Tomas, Abdul Mumin, Randy Nteka, Isi Palazon, Sergio Camello, Unai Lopez and Jonathan Montiel are all absent through injury.

In Nteka’s absence, veteran forward Sergi Guardiola, is in contention to make his first league start of the season.

Rayo Vallecano predicted lineup vs Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Batalla; Ratiu, Lejeune, Hernandez, Chavarria; Diaz, Cisse; Embarba, Trejo, A Garcia; Guardiola.