Match Overview
Real Madrid takes on Rayo Vallecano at the Santiago Bernabéu on February 1, 2026, in LaLiga Matchday 22. The match carries significant stakes for both sides—Real Madrid needs points to stay in the title race, while Rayo battles to escape the relegation zone.
Current Standings
| Position | Team | Points | W-D-L |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barcelona | 55 | 18-1-3 |
| 2 | Real Madrid | 51 | 16-3-2 |
| 3 | Atlético Madrid | 45 | 13-6-3 |
| 16 | Rayo Vallecano | 22 | 5-7-9 |
Barcelona extended their lead to 4 points after defeating Elche 3-1 earlier in the day, putting pressure on Real Madrid to respond with a win.
Real Madrid’s Situation
Real Madrid enters this match under a cloud after their shocking 5-4 defeat to Benfica in the Champions League, which cost them direct qualification to the Round of 16. The loss has sparked unrest among fans at the Bernabéu, with boos expected during today’s match.
Manager Álvaro Arbeloa has kept clean sheets in his first two LaLiga matches in charge and will look to become the second Real Madrid manager this century to go three games without conceding in LaLiga (after Rafa Benítez).
Real Madrid Form (Last 4)
G - G - G - P
Rayo Vallecano’s Situation
Rayo Vallecano arrives in Madrid in dire straits, sitting just one point above the relegation zone after three consecutive defeats. Manager Iñigo Pérez knows his side must perform near-perfectly to get a result at the Bernabéu.
Rayo Vallecano Form (Last 4)
G - P - P - P
Expected Lineups
Real Madrid: Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Huijsen, Camavinga; Tchouaméni, Güler, Bellingham; Mastantuono, Vinícius, Mbappé
Rayo Vallecano: Batalla; Andrei, Lejeune, Mendy, Chavarría; Gumbau, Ciss, Isi; Álvaro García, Akhomach, De Frutos
Key Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | February 1, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 13:00 UTC / 8:00 AM ET |
| Venue | Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid |
| Competition | LaLiga EA Sports, Matchday 22 |
| Referee | Díaz de Mera Escuderos |
| VAR | Gálvez Rascón |
What to Watch
- Bernabéu atmosphere: After the Champions League debacle against Benfica, fans are expected to voice their frustration. How will the players respond to potential boos?
- Camavinga at left-back: With Mendy and Carreras unavailable, Camavinga will operate from the left-back position—a role where he has produced some of his best performances.
- Mastantuono’s opportunity: The young Argentine retains his starting spot despite a quiet performance against Benfica. Arbeloa values his defensive work rate and is waiting for his offensive potential to emerge.
- Rayo’s survival instinct: Desperate times call for desperate measures. Can Rayo pull off an upset?
Season Statistics
| Stat | Real Madrid | Rayo Vallecano |
|---|---|---|
| Goals scored | 45 | 17 |
| Goals conceded | 17 | 28 |
| Goals per match | 2.14 | 0.81 |
| Shots per match | 14.52 | 10.29 |
Sources
Last updated: 2026-02-01 13:00 UTC