Rayo Vallecano vs Barcelona predictions and match preview for Wednesday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups as Xavi’s team travels to Madrid.
| Date | Wednesday 26th April 2023 |
| Kick-Off | 22:00 (CEST) |
| Stadium | Vallecas |
| Competition | LaLiga |
Rayo Vallecano vs Barcelona Preview
Barcelona travel to Vallecas for a Wednesday night game in LaLiga with three points the target as they seek to edge closer to the title. While they are clear favourites for this match, Barça have found Rayo Vallecano really difficult opposition in recent years and could be in for a tough night.
Rayo will certainly take confidence from having kept clean sheets in all three meetings with the Catalan club since they won promotion in 2021. They did the double over Barcelona last season with two 1-0 wins and left Camp Nou with a goalless draw on the opening weekend of the 2022/23 campaign. While it’s true that Xavi’s side have improved since those matches, Rayo will certainly back themselves to be competitive again here.
They could do with upsetting Barcelona again if they want to remain in serious contention for European qualification. Rayo have won just 1 of their last 10 in LaLiga and while that solitary victory did come in their last home outing, they were beaten at the weekend with Florian Lejeune’s late own goal denying them a point in Donostia against Real Sociedad.
Barcelona haven’t been on top of their game either but we saw a more convincing performance from them on Sunday as they defeated 3rd placed Atletico Madrid 1-0 at Camp Nou. Ferran Torres was the match winner with a cool finish from the edge of the area to end a run of three games without a goal in all competitions for Xavi’s side.
That match also saw Barcelona welcome Frenkie de Jong and Pedri back into the fold and that’s a timely boost which should help them show more creativity in upcoming matches. While the destiny of the title race is not in doubt, Barcelona fans will be looking for their team to finish the season with a bit of a flourish rather than by merely stumbling towards the finish line which has looked a more likely scenario in recent weeks.
Team News & Possible Lineups
Rayo Vallecano
| INJURED | Falcao |
| DOUBTFUL | |
| BANNED | Comesaña |
Possible XI: Dimitrievski – Fran Garcia, Catena, Lejeune, Balliu – Ciss, Valentin – Alvaro Garcia, Trejo, Isi – Camello (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Andoni Iraola
Barcelona
| INJURED | Roberto |
| DOUBTFUL | Christensen, Dembele |
| BANNED | Busquets |
Possible XI: Ter Stegen – Alba, Eric Garcia, Araujo, Kounde – De Jong, Gavi, Pedri – Ferran, Lewandowski, Raphinha (4-3-3)
Coach: Xavi
Score Prediction: Rayo Vallecano 0-0 Barcelona
While Andoni Iraola’s Rayo Vallecano are known for a positive and at times risky approach to football, they’ve also shown an ability to be compact and defend well in previous matches against this opposition. This has the potential to be another frustrating night for Xavi’s team who haven’t been scoring freely of late and they may struggle to leave Vallecas with more than a point.
Check out the latest football odds in La Liga for this game and other upcoming matches in the Spanish top flight.
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