The Bernabéu hosts Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano on Saturday 12 September 2026 (21:00 CEST) — the headline fixture of the weekend. Madrid respond at home after a shock 0–1 defeat at Real Betis; Rayo arrive full of confidence after edging Racing Santander 3–2.
Real Madrid: how they've set up
Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid suffered their first defeat of the season, beaten 1–0 by Real Betis at La Cartuja with Troy Parrott scoring the only goal. Mbappé, Vinícius and Bellingham will look to respond in front of their own fans.
Real Madrid Predicted Starting XI & Lineup · 4-3-3
Official lineups confirmed 1 hour before kick-off.
Rayo Vallecano: how they've set up
Rayo Vallecano won a five-goal thriller 3–2 at home to Racing Santander, Andrei Ratiu and Sergio Camello (brace) on target. Íñigo Pérez's side travel to the Bernabéu full of confidence but face a Madrid side desperate to bounce back.
Where this gets decided
A wounded Real Madrid attack — Mbappé, Vinícius, Bellingham — against a Rayo defence that shipped two in a five-goal Jornada 4 thriller. Expect Madrid to dominate territory from the first whistle.
Fantasy picks for this one
- Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid, FWD): premium captain option after the Betis defeat.
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, MID): expect a reaction from Madrid's talisman.
- Sergio Camello (Rayo Vallecano, FWD): scored twice last time out, differential pick.
- Predictor: Real Madrid 3–0 Rayo Vallecano.
My call
Madrid respond to their first defeat of the season with a statement home win. Prediction: Real Madrid 3–0 Rayo Vallecano.