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La Liga 2015-2016: Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid, Preview, Prediction & Predicted Lineup

| Apr 22, 2016 01:24 AM EDT

Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric.

Lowly club Rayo Vallecano (8-15-11, 35 points) is set to face streaking contenders Real Madrid CF (24-4-6, 78 points) at the Campo de Futbol de Vallecas on Saturday, April 23rd as the 2015-2016 La Liga season comes down to its final four matchdays.

Rayo Vallecano is coming off a 1-1 draw with middling team Malaga CF at the La Rosaleda Stadium on Wednesday, as per ESPN.

The Vallecans actually scored the opening goal two minutes after the hour mark of the contest with a with a right-footed strike from outside the box from midfielder Raúl Baena as both teams went goalless in the first half of play.

However, Los Boquerones defender Federico Ricca managed to pull off a left-footed shot in injury time off an assist by forward Roque Santa Cruz to salvage the draw and a share of the point in the overall standings for Malaga.

With the tie, Rayo is now at the 16th spot of the league table, only three points above the bottom three relegation area with four games left in their current campaign.

Meanwhile, perennial powerhouse Real Madrid scored another lopsided victory, this time over fellow contenders Villarreal CF, 3-0, at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium also on Wednesday, as reported by SkySports.

French striker Karim Benzema opened the scoring at the 41st minute to give Los Blancos the lead at the half. Midfielders Lucas Vazquez and Luka Modric netted one goal apiece in the second period to complete the team's three-goal haul.

It was the ninth straight win for Zinedine Zidane's boys and the third consecutive they have won by three goals or more since they defeated Barcelona in their second El Clásico match this season early this month.

Real is only a point behind league leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in the current league table as the race for the 2015-2016 La Liga title will come down to the last matchday.

The predicted result is another 3-0 romp for Real Madrid.

Rayo Vallecano starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Juan Carlos; Quini, Ze Castro, Llorente, Tito; Hernandez, Baena, Trashorras, Embarba; Miku, Guerra

Real Madrid starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Navas; Danilo, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Lucas, Benzema, Ronaldo

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