Xabi Alonso is on the hunt for consistency from his Real Madrid team as they prepare to face Rayo Vallecano.
Madrid went into the weekend five points clear at the top of LaLiga, having lost just one top-flight match all season.
However, Alonso’s team were firmly second best as they suffered a 1-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Madrid had only two shots on target and mustered just 0.45 expected goals to Liverpool’s 2.58.
While Alonso is searching for consistency, he is perfectly happy with Madrid’s approach to every game.
“We want to be consistent, but not all matches are the same,” Alonso told reporters.
“We need to consider the context; we shouldn’t make judgments based on just one match.
“I have no complaints whatsoever about my players’ attitude beforehand.
“I’m very happy with them, we’re making progress. That’s what makes me happy.”
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Rayo, meanwhile, are 10th in the table with 14 points from 11 games, under promising head coach Inigo Perez.
They defeated Lech Poznan 3-2 in the Conference League on Thursday, though their most recent league game was a 4-0 defeat to high-flying Villarreal.
“I see him as having a lot of personality, a lot of authority, he has a clear vision,” Alonso said of Perez. “I like how he communicates with the players.”
Alonso also confirmed Trent Alexander-Arnold, who made his return from injury as a substitute against Liverpool, is under consideration to start, meaning Federico Valverde could move back into midfield.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Rayo Vallecano – Pep Chavarria
Chavarria has been involved in three goals in 11 games with Vallecano in LaLiga this season (one goal and two assists).
That is his most in a single campaign in the competition, while he has assisted the last two goals Vallecano have scored.
Real Madrid – Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe, LaLiga’s leading marksman, has scored in his last eight league games.
He could now become the first player to score in nine or more consecutive games in the competition since Cristiano Ronaldo in May 2018 (10 games).
MATCH PREDICTION – REAL MADRID WIN
Rayo have taken points from four of their last six LaLiga matches against Real Madrid (won one, drawn three), after losing 19 of their previous 20 against them (won one).
Indeed, Los Blancos have only won on one of their last five visits to Vallecano in LaLiga (drawn two, lost two), after winning each of their previous nine away matches against them.
But Alonso’s team are favoured here, having won 10 of their 11 matches played in LaLiga this season (lost one).
It is their joint-most victories at this stage of a campaign in the competition, having achieved it four times previously, and once in this century (2022-23).
Madrid have had 21 or more shots in each of their last four LaLiga games, a streak they had only achieved once before since records began in 2003-04 – a run of five in March 2010 under Manuel Pellegrini.
They should have too much attacking firepower for Rayo, though the hosts are not expected to be pushovers.
Rayo have drawn seven of their 15 matches played at home in LaLiga in 2025 (won five, lost three), the most of any team in the competition.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Rayo Vallecano – 18.5%
Real Madrid 60.3%
Draw – 21.2%
