La Liga: Pride Aplenty in Madrid Derby

Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano

For a side which have spent three of the past four seasons outside of La Liga, Rayo Vallecano are doing rather well.

In fact, 12 games into the 2021/22 campaign and they are in a heady sixth place in the top flight – a spot which brings European qualification – and only five points off the pace.

While survival is likely to be their overall aim this term, the newly promoted team have already shown this season they can create La Liga highlights with the best of them.

Not least a 1-0 triumph at the Estadio de Vallecas over Barcelona.

Now for their arch rivals and the other big hitter in Spanish football as Vallecano make the trip to Real Madrid.

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Talking Points

The matchwinner in that Barca game is flying.

Yes, for a marksman who was once one of the very best in world football, Radamel Falcao must never have thought he would one day be playing for the Spanish minnows.

Yet here is El Tigre shining for Los Vallecanos with the 35 year-old Colombian delighting his new fans.

The last time I looked, only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo held a better goals-per-game ratio than Falcao in the history of La Liga.

Falcao established himself as one of the game’s hottest properties during two brilliant years at Atletico Madrid (2011-2013) and, while injuries derailed subsequent spells with Monaco, Manchester United and Chelsea, recent seasons have seen Falcao regain form and fitness with two successful seasons at Galatasaray, bagging 20 goals in 43 appearances.

Now, a decade later, Falcao has returned to the country – and the city – that propelled him to global superstardom. And although he may no longer the unstoppable force of nature seen in his peak years, he has proved to be a hugely significant signing both on and off the pitch.

He will also be someone that title favourites Real Madrid will be wary of this weekend.

Carlo Ancelotti’s team currently are in second place in the table following a 2-1 win at battling 10-men Elche last weekend.

Yet win their game in hand and they will return to the summit.

Vinicius Junior opened the scoring midway through the first half, latching onto Mariano’s flick-on and sending a low finish into the corner.

Vinicius doubled Real’s lead with a cool finish from Luka Modric’s pass before Pere Milla reduced the arrears late on.

Can Real Madrid claim the top spot this week when they face Rayo Vallecano in La Liga? — Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti giving instruction from the touchline during their match against Osasuna

Ancelotti’s men also won 2-1 in midweek when Karim Benzema returned from injury and scored twice, even though the boss had no complaints about the whistles in the home crowd for what was described as a lacklustre performance in the 2-1 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk.

Madrid won again though and, with players keen to avoid a repeat of the boos, they will be fired up to see off their city neighbours.

They will start as firm favourites but rule out Vallecano at your peril.

Located in the streets of Vallecas, one of Madrid’s poorer suburbs, the club has stubbornly fought off modernity to retain a strong sense of identity far removed from the glitz and glamour of Madrid in the smart Chamartin district to the north of the city centre.

There will be no prouder side when they walk out at the Bernabeu this Saturday night.

History

This fixture usually goes the way of Madrid who have defeated Vallecano 28 times in the league with a further three draws and five Vallecano successes.

One of those was in their most recent top flight meeting in 2019 when a penalty from Adrián Embarba earned victory, although Madrid won the corresponding fixture at home that season – again when there was just a solitary goal from Benzema.

Vallecano have suffered some really heavy defeats at the Bernabeu and you have to go back to 1996 to when they last won there – a game when a double from Guilherme de Cassio Alves secured a 2-1 success against opponents whose line-up included Raul (their scorer that day), Fernando Hierro, Fernando Redondo and Michael Laudrup.

Betting Tip

	Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano	Total Goal 4-6 @ 2.56
	November 7, 04:00 (GMT+8)

The SBOTOP La Liga betting odds outline just how much the hosts are fancied.

They can be backed 1X2 @ 1.40 and Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 2.11, whereas Vallecano are available to tip 1X2 @ 7.60 and Asian Handicap +1.00 @ 2.42.

The draw is on offer @ 4.40 and a repeat of their most recent meeting from two years ago – correct score 1-0 – will pay out @ 7.80.

I think there will be goals galore and, in a Real success.