Real Madrid take on neighbours Rayo Vallecano this evening at the Santiago Bernabeu looking to to stay top of the table as they head into the international break.
Los Blancos are currently on a 12-match winning run after overcoming a poor start to the campaign. The run has seen the Champions League holders rise to the top of La Liga and qualify for the next stage of the Champions League with two games to go in the group.
Worryingly for the visitors tonight, Carlo Ancelotti’s men aren’t just scraping the wins either – they’ve scored a remarkable 47 goals in their last 12 matches. And with Ronaldo having scored 22 goals in 16 games so far this season, they come up against a man who keeps breaking new barriers.
In team news, Ancelotti may rotate his team a bit. Fit-again Gareth Bale is likely to make his first start since recovering from injury with Isco most likely to drop to the bench. Although not confirmed, the Italian could decide to rest James Rodriguez too.
The visitors, who lost at the Bernabeu 5-0 last season lie 12th in the league with three wins from their first 10 games. Two of those have been on the road, where they seem to play more expressive and free football. In Leo Baptistao, the on-loan Atletico man, they have a man in form, with six goals from nine games. But the defence is a worry and Los Blancos should have too much for them.
Probable Line-Up:
Real Madrid: Casillas, Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo, Kroos, Modric, James, Bale, Ronaldo, Benzema.
