Real Madrid have a decently sized injury list, heading into the local derby at Rayo Vallecano on Sunday. Aurelien Tchouameni has a hamstring problem, and he’s looking at a return at some point later on this month.
David Alaba (groin) and Franco Mastantuono (calf) both face late fitness tests tomorrow.
Real Madrid at Rayo Vallecano FYIs
Kick-off: Sunday, Nov 9, Estadio de Vallecas, Madrid
Madrid Preview Material: Starting XI Prediction Team News
PL Form: Real Madrid LWWWW Rayo Vallecano LWWWL
LL Standing: Real Madrid 1st, 30 pts Rayo Vallecano 10th, 14 pts
Result Probability: Real Madrid win 65% Draw 20% Rayo Vallecano win 15%
Real Madrid Team News
Given that an international break commences on Monday, maybe neither player will be risked. Then of course, you have the standing injury absentees- the duo of Antonio Rudiger (muscular issue) and Dani Carvajal (knee problem). So most likely Xabi Alonso will not have at least three, but perhaps up to five, players at his disposal for the Madrid derby.
That said, he’ll still field a very strong team, and stands a good chance of tacking three more points on to their La Liga leading tally of 30.
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the Washington Post and ESPN.