Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid - La Liga: TV channel, team news, lineups and prediction

After taking full control of the La Liga title race last weekend, Real Madrid make the short trip across the capital to face Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.

An emphatic 4-0 victory over Girona saw Madrid take a five-point lead at the summit and a 36th La Liga title is already within reach. Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are unlikely to stage late challenges.

Sunday's visitors were also in action on Tuesday night as their Champions League knockout stage campaign began away at RB Leipzig. In the absence of several stars, Madrid slenderly prevailed thanks to a sequence of brilliance from Brahim Diaz.

Vallecano frustrated Madrid in the reverse fixture, holding out for a stalemate, and it once appeared as if they could challenge for a European spot. However, the hosts have won just one of their previous 14 La Liga matches, slumping to 14th in the table. They also parted ways with manager Francisco Rodriguez ahead of this fixture.

Here's preview of Real Madrid's upcoming La Liga clash.

Country

TV channel/live stream

United Kingdom

Viaplay UK, Viaplay Sports 2, LaLigaTV

United States

ESPN+, ESPN Deportes

Canada

TSN+

Vallecano have few injury concerns heading into Sunday's match-up, with Diego Mendez the only doubt.

The hosts boast the likes of Radamel Falcao and Bebe in their squad, but the pair have a whopping zero La Liga starts between them this season.

Rayo Vallecano predicted lineup vs Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Dimitrievski; Balliu, Mumin, Lejeune, Espino; Ciss, Trejo; Palazon, Perez, Garcia; Camello.

The visitors are without the suspended Ferland Mendy on Sunday due to yellow card accumulation, so Fran Garcia should come back into Madrid's starting XI.

Ancelotti is still without long-term absentees David Alaba, Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao,