Real Madrid look to be the strongest side in LaLiga this term, it’s usually between them and Barcelona but with Hansi Flick’s side facing a bit of a defensive crisis right now, Madrid look to be in pole position to make a real push to reclaim the LaLiga title.

Only Barcelona (28) have netted more goals in LaLiga this season than Real Madrid (26). This works out at 2.36 goals per game for Los Blancos with Xabi Alonso’s side scoring 2+ goals in nine of their 11 LaLiga matches this term - with the exception of 1-0 victories over Osasuna and Getafe who are amongst the most stubborn sides in LaLiga.

Rayo Vallecano are bold enough to have a go at Real Madrid, which was the case in this fixture last season as the sides contested a 3-3 draw. Real Madrid also scored twice in the meeting between the sides at the Bernabeu. Real Madrid are currently underperforming their xG by just one goal, so their 26 goal haul is consistent with the quality of chances they’ve created in LaLiga this term.

Real Madrid have netted 12 goals across their five away matches this season (2.4 per game).

Rayo Vallecano racked up four corners in this fixture last season as they managed to earn a point against Real Madrid in the form of a 3-3 draw. They also managed to win six corners in their defeat at the Bernabeu later on in the campaign.

Rayo Vallecano are averaging 6.27 corners per game in LaLiga this season; only Barcelona (7.00) and Real Sociedad (6.82) can boast a healthier corner count than Rayo Vallecano in LaLiga this season. This average increases further to 8.25 corners per game when looking at their home matches, the highest of any side in the division, which centres corners as a crucial part of Rayo Vallecano’s overall game plan.

Rayo Vallecano racked up nine corners in their 1-1 draw against Barcelona back towards the start of the season, which highlights their ability to maintain a high corner count, even against the elite sides in the division. Higher lines are also worth exploring for Rayo Vallecano here, with such a promising corner average at home this term.

Vinicius Jr has registered nine goal contributions across his 11 appearances in LaLiga this season. He’s had 30 shots across these games (3.47 per 90) with exactly half of his attempts finding the target (1.74 per 90).

Only Mbappe (25) has had more shots on target in LaLiga this season than Vinicius Jr. This makes Vinicius Jr a significant contributor to Real Madrid’s record of 7.50 shots on target per game in LaLiga this term, a record only bettered by Barcelona (8.00).

Vinicius Jr has had a shot on target in seven of his 11 appearances in LaLiga this season, with the winger also averaging 2.66 shots per 90 in the Champions League this season. Vinicius Jr didn’t start in this fixture last season, but did score and have two shots on target in Real Madrid’s 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano at the Bernabeu.

Valentin sits at the heart of Rayo Vallecano’s midfield, which means he’ll have a really tough assignment on his hands here as he will have to manage the threat of Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler.

Bellingham has always been strong when it comes to winning fouls, with the 22-year-old winning 11 fouls across his seven appearances in LaLiga this term (2.60 per 90). He won eight fouls across Real Madrid’s two meetings with Rayo Vallecano last season, with the Englishman hauled down on four occasions in both encounters.

Guler has broken into the Real Madrid side this season and is a particular favourite of Xabi Alonso. He’s won eight fouls across his 11 appearances in LaLiga (1.03 per 90) and was hauled down on three occasions in this fixture last season as the sides contested a 3-3 draw.

Rayo Vallecano committed 18 fouls in that game, with Valentin coming off the bench to commit one foul in his 30-minute cameo. Valentin has committed 11 fouls across his six starts in LaLiga this term (1.78 per 90), which is a record that should be set to rise here with the midfielder facing up against Bellingham and Guler.