The knives – and white hankies – could be out this afternoon when Real Madrid host Rayo Vallecano.

Wins over Levante, Monaco and Villarreal appeared to have steadied the ship at the Bernabeu but the humbling 4-2 midweek defeat at Benfica – compounded by the hosts scoring through goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin – means boss Alvaro Arbeloa is again under the microscope.

They will need to get off to a good start against Rayo to ensure the fans remain onside.

Rayo are in the bottom half but have a decent record against their city rivals, losing just two of their last seven encounters.