Recent Play Details

Update: This line has obviously shot up. You're going to have to play Real Madrid -1 at this point. 

3% Real Madrid (1:30 ET): On the heels of their embarrassing Champions League elimination at the hands of Manchester City, Real Madrid lost again over the weekend, this time in domestic league action (1-0 at Valencia). Los Blancos are already assured of being back in Europe’s top competition next season as they have clinched a top three spot in La Liga. But back to back losses without a goal is something Real Madrid won’t take lightly and I expect them to come out “fired up” for this Wednesday fixture vs. Rayo Vallecano, which is at the Santiago Bernabeu, not to mention on ESPN2 as well. 

As they are apt to say this time of the soccer season, Rayo Vallecano is a team “on the beach,” meaning mid-table with nothing left to play for. Currently in 11th place, they have very little chance of catching 7th place Athletic Bilbao for the Europa Conference League spot. Rayo are also safe from relegation. So I’d expect little from them down the stretch, especially away where they are winless over their last seven while conceding a total of 15 goals. Even less encouraging is that Rayo was just beaten 2-1 at home by relegation-threatened Espanyol last week. This is a team I do not have finishing in the top half of the table. Rayo have lost to the likes of Elche, Cadiz and Celta Vigo on the road this season, so I can’t see them picking up a result here.

The 1-0 loss to Valencia was Real Madrid’s fourth straight away loss across all competitions. However, here at home, they’ve been a very dominant side, especially against teams in the bottom half of the table. They’re a perfect 9 for 9 at the Bernabeu against bottom half sides with seven of those victories coming by 2+ goals. Since the World Cup, Real Madrid sports a +15.2 xGD at home. No Vinicius Junior here, but I expect his teammates to rally around him following the shameful situation last week. Make no mistake about it, Carlo Ancelotti wants to finish second (ahead of rivals Atletico) and this is a revenge spot (Real lost the reverse 3-2 back in November). I’ll lay the juice. 3% Real Madrid (Play to -175)