Cristiano Ronaldo & Eric Bailly
Cristiano Ronaldo may sit out Real Madrid's trip to Rayo Vallecano Reuters

Real Madrid will go top of the La Liga table if they beat Rayo Vallecano in the early kick-off at Vallecas on 23 April.

Where to watch

Kick-off is set for 3pm BST. The game is not scheduled for live broadcast in the UK.

Overview

Raul Baena's second-half goal gave Rayo Vallecano a share of the spoils against Malaga, leaving the Madrid club three points above the relegation zone with four games to go. The Vallecas outfit have lost their last 15 league meetings with Real Madrid.

Javi Guerra and Ze Castro are expected to be available despite suffering knocks in the Malaga match, but Piti, David Cobeno and Patrick Ebert all remain sidelined through injury.

Karim Benzema, Lucas Vasquez and Luka Modric all got on the scoresheet as Real Madrid dispatched Villarreal 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu in midweek. Zinedine Zidane could rest some of his big players in the Rayo match with an eye on the Champions League semi-final first leg against Manchester City three days later.

Ronaldo suffered a muscle injury in the Villarreal game but should be fit, while Gareth Bale (leg) could also return.

What managers say

Paco Jemez: "We're immunised, we know we're going to suffer until the end. It doesn't affect us, nor are we preoccupied with what happens to us. We didn't deserve to win [against Malaga], we had chances. We had it in hand, we knew the importance but we didn't defend well. We had to make three changes for three injuries, and that caused enormous damage. We had the best chances but we lacked poise. We have tough games but I think we can cope against Real Madrid."

Zinedine Zidane: "We are sticking with what we are doing well, working well. The team today was phenomenal [against Villarreal] from minute one until the end. We won back many balls, attacked well, created many chances, we were almost perfect in defence. I am very happy with the attitude of all the players. We are just a point back still. We will continue with our football, our idea, what we have been doing. Nothing has changed."

Form guide

  • Rayo Vallecano: DWLWD
  • Last result: Malaga 1-1 Rayo Vallecano
  • Real Madrid (all competitions): WWWWL
  • Last result: Real Madrid 3-0 Villarreal

Betting odds (Betfair)

  • Rayo Vallecano win: 9/1
  • Draw: 9/2
  • Real Madrid win: 2/7

Team news

Rayo Vallecano possible XI: Carlos; Quini, Amaya, Ze Castro, Tito; Hernandez, Baena, Trashorras, Embarba; Miku, Guerra

Real Madrid possible XI: Navas; Danilo, Pepe, Varane, Nacho; Kovacic, Kroos, Rodriguez; Bale, Benzema, Vasquez

Real Madrid