AFP/Madrid


Rafael Benitez could take charge of Real Madrid for the final time should the Spanish giants fail to end an alarming slump to see off humble city rivals Rayo Vallecano tomorrow.
Madrid have lost three of their last five league games to slip five points behind leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid with Benitez rumoured to be one more defeat away from the sack.
However, it would take a monumental collapse for Real to fail to add to a run of 14 consecutive wins against Rayo stretching back over 15 years.
Barca’s participation in the Club World Cup this weekend does at least allow Madrid to cut the gap on one of their title rivals before La Liga shuts down for 10 days over Christmas.
Moreover, Benitez could have a fully-fit squad to choose from as Raphael Varane and Dani Carvajal stepped up their recovery from injury this week.
Toni Kroos was surprisingly left out of the starting line-up for the 1-0 defeat at Villarreal last weekend amid rumours of a bust up with Benitez.
The German international also missed training on Thursday due to the flu, but is expected to be fit should Benitez wish to recall him.
Madrid’s problems appear minimal compared to Rayo, who have slipped into the relegation zone after three consecutive league defeats.
Paco Jemez’s men did reach the last 16 of the Copa del Rey on away goals on Wednesday, despite losing 3-1 at Getafe. Yet the performance offered Jemez little hope ahead of the trip to the Santiago Bernabeu.
“I would swap Madrid’s crisis for ours,” he said.
“If we play like we did against Malaga or today (Wednesday), we can’t even compete against a second division team.
“If we play like we did against Villarreal, Espanyol, Las Palmas or Valencia then yes we will be competitive (against Madrid).”
Atletico are guaranteed to be at least joint top at Christmas, but Diego Simeone’s men can take top spot on their own for the first time since they claimed the title against all odds 18 months ago should they avoid defeat at Malaga tomorrow.
Los Rojiblancos have won nine consecutive games in all competitions to book their place in the last 16 of the Champions League and Copa del Rey, as well as storming to the top of La Liga.
Diego Godin and Antoine Griezmann were rested for the win over minnows Reus in the Cup on Thursday and are expected to return along with Colombian striker Jackson Martinez after a six-week injury layoff.
Valencia were also victors in the Cup in midweek as Gary Neville got his first win as a head coach at the third time of asking and the Englishman will be expected to follow that up with a first La Liga win at home to Getafe today.
“There is nothing like winning for confidence,” said Neville after Valencia’s first win in four games in all competitions.
“We have to improve and we will with these players. They are young, but they are willing to learn, to listen and discuss ideas which has really satisfied me this week.”
Elsewhere, Real Betis host a resurgent Sevilla in the first Seville derby in 20 months. Sevilla are unbeaten in six games after a difficult start to the season and could move within three points of the top four with a win.
Celta Vigo currently occupy fourth and will be confident of staying there despite missing top scorer Nolito through injury as they visit struggling Granada.
However, any slip up from the Galicians would allow Villarreal to move into the Champions League places should they back up their win over Madrid with another victory at Real Sociedad.

Fixtures (all times GMT)
Today
Valencia vs Getafe (1500), Espanyol vs Las Palmas (1715), Real Betis vs Sevilla (1930), Deportivo la Coruna vs Eibar (2105)
Tomorrow
Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano (1500), Real Sociedad vs Villarreal, Granada vs Celta Vigo, Athletic Bilbao vs Levante (1715), Malaga vs Atletico Madrid (1930)