Rayo Vallecano - Real Madrid preview - Bale doubtful for derby clash

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti may be forced to break up his star attacking triumvirate for Wednesday's trip to Rayo Vallecano as Gareth Bale is struggling with a knock.

Bale and the other two members of Madrid's so-called 'BBC' strikeforce, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, contributed eight of the team's nine goals in Sunday's 9-1 thrashing of Granada between them, with the other effort being an own goal.

Those three have also netted 17 of Madrid's last 18 goals, with Ronaldo notching 10 - half of which came against Granada - while Benzema's share is four and Bale's three. So far this campaign, the 'BBC' have notched 86 goals and are just 11 short of last season's tally.

However, the chances of Ancelotti being able to name an unchanged line-up for the Rayo match are in the balance, as Wales international Bale picked up a knock at the Bernabeu which has made him a doubt for the derby.

Ancelotti said in his pre-match press conference: "There is a problem with Bale, who received a knock on his left foot. We will re-evaluate the situation tomorrow and name the starting line-up afterwards."

The Italian is unlikely to take any risks with Bale, especially with Luka Modric and James Rodriguez now fit again and Isco and Jese offering attacking options as well.

Ancelotti added: "We have a game every three days until the start of May and rotations are going to be essential. Some players might be rested."

Madrid's confidence will have been significantly boosted by their mauling of Granada, which came after a run of three defeats in four games, but Ancelotti is making sure his players do not underestimate ninth-placed Rayo.

While the European champions have been stuttering of late, Rayo have hit a purple patch and they have won four of their last five matches, with their only aberration coming with a 6-1 defeat at league leaders Barcelona.

A wary Ancelotti, whose side are four points behind Barca, said: "Rayo are enjoying their best spell of the season at the moment and the league standings clearly reflect that.

"I always prefer playing against sides that close things up at the back because it means you can control the play. They will be looking to control the play and the tempo of the game tomorrow. Rayo like to have possession of the ball and we understand the difficulty this match poses."

Rayo have lost their last 10 meetings with Madrid and have not beaten their illustrious neighbours in the league since 1997, but their excellent recent form has given them hope of ending that drought.

Coach Paco Jemez said on his club's website: "It's not easy. But we are now in a very, very positive dynamic.

"We will go out to win, to enjoy. It is a game to show what kind of players and team we have."