Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
2025-26 Spanish La Liga
Matchday 22
Real Madrid v Rayo Vallecano
El Bernabeu
Madrid, Spain
Sunday, 1 February 2026
Kick-off is at 14h00
Real Madrid won't want to dwell too much on their recent record against Rayo Vallecano when they go head-to-head in a local derby at the Bernabeu in the early kick-off on Sunday, February 1.
Los Blancos have struggled to get over the line in their recent meetings with the Red Sashes, winning just one of their last five La Liga encounters and drawing the other four.
Alvaro Arbeloa has made a good start to his tenure after replacing the sacked Xabi Alonso on January 12, guiding the Madrid giants to back-to-back 2-0 wins against Levante and Villarreal.
Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
Real continue to trail arch-rivals Barcelona by just one point in second place, but they will be wary of slipping up against Rayo for the second time this season after being held to a 0-0 draw at Vallecas on November 9.
Inigo Perez's side made a bright start to the new year, drawing 1-1 with Getafe and running out 2-1 victors over Real Mallorca to put some distance between themselves and the relegation zone.
However, successive defeats to Celta Vigo (3-0) and Osasuna (3-1) saw the Red Sashes fall to 16th position and they're now just one point above Mallorca (18th).
Suggested photo: Pathe Ciss of Rayo Vallecano
Arbeloa hailed the hard work his players put in to come away from La Ceramica with all three points, but admits the team can still improve in many areas.
"The players' commitment is undeniable, as is the effort they have put in on a pitch like this, against a great Villarreal side with a fantastic coach," he said.
"We knew it was one of the most difficult away games in the whole of La Liga. We were playing away at the third-placed team, so we have to give a lot of credit to the players' effort and collective commitment.
"It's a team victory, and we're very happy to take the three points. We have to keep working. We've shown that we're a very serious, very solid team, but we still have room for improvement.
"We have a lot to improve in all aspects, starting with this great solidity and the great work of all the players. This team is going places and I don't think this is the limit."
Head-to-Head (Last Five La Liga Meetings)
Matches - 5
Real Madrid wins - 1
Rayo Vallecano wins - 0
Draws - 4
La Liga Matchday 22 fixtures:
Friday, January 30
21h00: Espanyol v Alaves
Saturday, January 31
14h00: Real Oviedo v Girona
16h15: Osasuna v Villarreal
18h30: Levante v Atletico Madrid
21h00: Elche v Barcelona
Sunday, February 1
14h00: Real Madrid v Rayo Vallecano
16h15: Real Betis v Valencia
18h30: Getafe v Celta Vigo
21h00: Athletic Bilbao v Real Sociedad
Monday, February 2
21h00: Real Mallorca v Sevilla
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