Real Madrid head to Rayo Vallecano in La Liga action on December 14 with the potential of taking top spot away from Barcelona.

Carlo Ancelotti’s defending champions are currently two points behind their El Clasico rivals, with a game in hand, ahead of a hectic end to 2024.

With Barcelona in action at home to Leganes a day later than Real Madrid’s trip across the capital to Vallecas, this clash represents a major chance for a mental boost, if the visitors can secure a win.

Rayo sealed a 1-0 victory at Valencia last weekend, and they currently sit 12th in the La Liga rankings, but they have won two of their last three home clashes with Los Blancos.

The Sporting News brings you the latest team news and predicted lineups ahead of this La Liga game.

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Rayo Vallecano vs. Real Madrid lineups, predicted starting 11, team news

Rayo did not flag up any fresh injury issues following their victory at Valencia with Raul de Tomas not expected back until 2025 due to illness.

Inigo Perez could stick with an unchanged team from that game.

Rayo Vallecano predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Batalla (GK) — Ratiu, Lejeune, Mumin, Chavarria — Ciss, Valentin, De Frutos — Palazon, Nteka, Garcia.

Injured: De Tomas
Suspended: None

Real Madrid will wait until the last minute to make a decision on Kylian Mbappe who was forced off with a hamstring after just 20 minutes in the midweek 3-2 UEFA Champions League win at Atalanta.

Mbappe opened the scoring in Bergamo, but despite his injury issue not being labelled as a major concern, Ancelotti may opt against risking him in Vallecas.

David Alaba, Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal remain long-term injury absentees and Ferland Mendy is unlikely to feature again in 2024, but fellow Les Bleus star Eduardo Camavinga is in line to come back in, following a muscle issue.

Real Madrid predicted lineup (4-3-1-2, right to left): Courtois (GK) — Vazquez, Tchouameni, Rudiger, Garcia — Modric, Valverde, Camavinga — Bellingham — Rodrygo, Diaz.

Injured: Alaba, Militao, Carvajal, Vinicius Jr, Mendy, Mbappe (doubtful)
Suspended: None

Girona vs. Real Madrid live stream, TV channel

Here’s how to watch this La Liga match across selected areas of the world’s major regions: