Real Madrid come into their La Liga clash with Rayo Vallecano holding strong near the top of the standings after inconsistent but generally positive recent results.

The defending Spanish giants have been competitive both domestically and in European competition, recording wins against teams such as Villarreal (2-0) and Monaco (6-1), while also securing a goalless draw with Levante.

However, a heavy 4-2 loss to Benfica highlighted occasional defensive lapses and the challenges they face when balancing multiple competitions.

Over their last six matches across all tournaments, Real Madrid sit with a mix of four wins and two defeats, indicating a side capable of high scoring but slightly prone to setbacks.

This run has kept them firmly in the title race, sitting at or around second place in La Liga, with aspirations of closing the gap on leaders.

In contrast, Rayo Vallecano arrive in the fixture with form that reflects struggles closer to the lower mid-table.

Recent La Liga results for Rayo have included losses to Osasuna, Celta Vigo and Alavés, punctuated by a win over Mallorca and draws against others.

Their last six competitive matches show just two positive results amid four setbacks, leaving the team around 15th-16th in the league standings and fighting to steady their season.

Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano - LATEST UPDATES

What time does Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano start?

Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano kicks off in Madrid at 14:00 CET - local time, making it a 13:00 start for fans tuning in from Britain and Ireland. In the United States, then, kick-off is at 08:00 ET / 05:00 PT.

Where to watch Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano

Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano will be shown live on LaLiga TV, Premier Sports Player, fuboTV, and on ESPN Select.