Valencas stadium

Midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni: Real Madrid and FC Barcelona have vital away games which could have a big impact on this season's La Liga title race on the eve of the final international break of 2025. Real Madrid makes the short trip to face Rayo Vallecano in the Valencas Stadium with a five-point lead over Barcelona, which has a difficult match away to an in-form Celta Vigo.

Midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni is sidelined for Real Madrid with a muscle injury, and that will mean changes in Xabi Alonso's starting 11, with Eduardo Camavinga in the midfield holding role, while Fede Valverde moves back into his preferred midfield position and Trent Alexander-Arnold returns at right-back, reports Xinhua.

The former Liverpool player has had a difficult start to his Madrid career with injury, and Alonso prefers Dani Carvajal away from home, but Carvajal's knee problems should allow Alexander-Arnold to return at Vallecas.