Real Madrid host Rayo Vallecano in a La Liga showdown on March 9. Carlo Ancelotti's side beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg on March 4. However, they were beaten 2-1 by Real Betis in their previous La Liga game on March 1.

The Green and Whites recorded a famous 2-1 win over Real Madrid last weekend, and they are sixth in the La Liga table, while 17th-placed Las Palmas ended their four-game losing run with a 1-1 draw against basement side Real Valladolid last time out.

After winning their last six La Liga games in a row and winning the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 against Benfica in Lisbon, Hansi Flick's FC Barcelona will face Osasuna in another key league match as the Blaugrana are now leading the standings with a one-point margin on Atletico Madrid and a three-point margin on rivals,