Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano Match Preview & Prediction

Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano predictions and match preview for Saturday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups as Rayo aim to upset the Catalans once more.

Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano Preview

LaLiga returns to Camp Nou this weekend as Barçelona host Rayo Vallecano. Barça will be looking to make a statement in their opening match whilst the Madrileños will be aiming to win their third consecutive match against the Catalan side after doing the double over them last season. 

Barcelona have had arguably the busiest transfer window of any club in Europe, bringing in stars such as Robert Lewandowski and Jules Kounde along with smart moves for free agents Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen. 

Although there are doubts over the current registration of these players, with them in the team Xavi will be looking to close the gap with Real Madrid and fight for the LaLiga title, a feat which should be achievable if they can keep up the form Xavi brought in the second half of the last campaign. 

Rayo spent the first half of last season at the top end of the table, with the form of Oscar Trejo, Isi Palazon and goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski combined with the work ethic of the rest of the side allowing Andoni Iraola’s tactics to flourish. 

Towards the end of the season, however, things took a turn for the worse with the club eventually finishing the season in twelfth, admittedly still a very respectable finish for the club’s standards. The transfer market has been predictably slow for the Madrid side, however taking an experienced shot stopper such as Diego Lopez from Espanyol should prove a smart piece of business whilst the club is also linked to former Atletico star Diego Costa for a second spell at the club.

Team News

Barcelona

Rayo

Possible Lineups

Barcelona: Ter Stegen – Alba, Garcia, Pique, Araujo – Pedri, Busquets, Gavi – Raphinha, Lewandowski, Dembele (4-3-3)

Rayo: Lopez – Garcia, Catena, Lejeune, Balliu – Valentin, Comesana – Alvaro Garcia, Trejo, Isi – Falcao (4-2-3-1)

Score Prediction: Barcelona 3-1 Rayo

Whether all the new boys can be registered ahead of Saturday’s match is yet to be seen, but regardless Xavi’s side should be feeling confident that they can grab a victory here and put on a display in front of their home support. 

Rayo can use their victory at Camp Nou last season as motivation here, but their recent record against Barça is far from impressive overall and the Madrid side may have to settle for keeping the scoreline down in this match and aim to pick up points in coming weeks against lesser opposition.

PLEASE NOTE – Our LaLiga predictions are not betting tips. No profits are guaranteed if you’re using them to bet on football during the 2022/23 season. If you are gambling, do so responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose. BeGambleAware.