La Liga 2025-2026: Rayo Vallecano-Real Madrid, the probable formations

Rayo Vallecano-Real Madrid is never just another game. Especially for Rayo.

The Vallecas club represents a popular soul, linked to a working-class neighborhood and a punk culture that has always defined its identity. Vallecas, one of Madrid’s liveliest and busiest areas, is light years away from the capital’s posh center: here soccer is belonging, it is redemption, it is the voice of the people.

For this reason, facing Real Madrid takes on a value that goes far beyond the field: it is a cultural challenge, an ideological confrontation with everything Rayo is not and does not want to be.

On a sporting level, Iñigo Pérez’s team comes to the derby in tenth position and dreams of a European placement. On the other side, Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid leads La Liga with a five-point lead over Barcelona and aims to hold on to the top spot, without conceding any distractions.

Probable lineups

Rayo Vallecano (4-2-3-1): Batalla; Chavarría, Mendy, Lejeune, Ratiu; Unai López, Ciss; Álvaro García, Pedro Díaz, De Frutos; Alemao.
Coach: Iñigo Pérez.

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Carreras, Huijsen, Militao, Alexander-Arnold; Camavinga, Güler; Vinícius, Bellingham, Valverde; Mbappé.
Coach: Xabi Alonso.