Real Madrid have history on their side against Rayo Vallecano at Santiago Bernabeu

Real Madrid have history on their side against Rayo Vallecano at Santiago Bernabeu Real Madrid will welcome Rayo Vallecano to the Santiago Bernabeu and hope to return to winning ways after their loss to Real Betis last weekend . Los Blancos have a strong recent home record against their city rivals, having avoided defeat in each of the last five league meetings at the stadium. Madrid have won four of those five matches, with the other ending in a draw. The sequence gives Jose Mourinho’s side another reason to approach the game with confidence. Madrid have dominated at home The five-game unbeaten run stretches back to November 2021. Madrid won 2-1 in 2021, repeated that scoreline in May 2023, were held to a 0-0 draw later that year, then recorded further 2-1 victories in March 2025 and February 2026. Madrid will need to return to winning ways against Rayo Vallecano. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) That record is impressive, but the scorelines are also worth noting. Three of the four victories finished 2-1, which underlines how competitive these games have often been. Rayo may not have won at the Bernabeu during this run, but Madrid have usually had to work for the result. Mourinho will want a response The timing makes this fixture particularly important for Madrid. Mourinho’s side are coming into the game needing to regain momentum in La Liga , and a home match against an opponent they have consistently beaten at the Bernabeu offers a good opportunity to do exactly that. The expectation will naturally be for Madrid to control the game, especially with their attacking quality. A run of four wins and one draw is a strong platform for Jose Mourinho, but Madrid will aspire to become more perfect in the coming weeks. Jose Mourinho will know historical record means nothing against Rayo Vallecano. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) They are competing directly with Barcelona for the La Liga title, and Hansi Flick’s side are showing no signs of slipping up. Records are fun to follow ahead of the game, but after the whistle is blown, Mourinho will know that they mean almost nothing. Fresh off the Betis defeat, all eyes will be on whether the loss was a one-off or whether a bigger problem needs to be addressed by Los Blancos . Madrid will need to impose themselves early against Rayo and ensure that they secure the three points against their city rivals.