Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Barcelona finish the 24th match day of the 2024/25 La Liga season by welcoming an entertaining and European chasing Rayo Vallecano side to Estadi Olympic Lluis Companys this weekend.
Kick-off date/time: Monday 17th February, 2025: UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
How to watch on TV: UK – ITV & Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – ITVX & Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Barcelona Preview: Brilliant Blaugrana
Hansi Flick’s Barcelona had the potential to run away with things in the autumn before a massive dip. They have since themselves had to claw back a margin and have now set up a fascinating title race alongside Clasico rivals Real Madrid as well as Atletico Madrid.
The Blaugrana come into this one on the back of a 4-1 hammering of Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan last weekend, despite being down to ten men for half an hour of that game, thanks to goals from Robert Lewandowski, Fermin Lopez, Raphinha and Eric Garcia.
Rayo Vallecano Preview: Intense Rayo
Rayo Vallecano went through a mini crisis mid-way through last year as they tried to recover from the departure of Andoni Iraola to AFC Bournemouth but his former assistant coach, Inigo Perez, has managed to put together a similarly intense style that is difficult to play against.
The capital city club come into this one on the back of a 1-0 defeat of Real Valladolid at Vallecas last weekend thanks to a 71st minute winner from Alvaro Garcia. They are now unbeaten in their last nine matches in La Liga with five victories and four draws in that run.
Barcelona Team News: Fermin suspension
As mentioned, Barca went down to ten men last weekend and midfielder Fermin Lopez is now missing through suspension due to that red card. They remain without first-choice goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen due to injury, whilst key centre-back Ronald Araujo is a doubt.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Alex Balde; Frenkie de Jong, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Unavailable: Ter Stegen (Injured), Christensen (Injured), Marc Bernal (Injured), Fermin Lopez (Suspended)
Questionable: Ronald Araujo (Injured)
Rayo Vallecano Team News: A few absentees
Former Real Madrid striker Raul de Tomas is missing through illness once again for Rayo and he is joined on the sidelines by midfielder Unai Lopez as well as a key attacker, Sergio Camello, who is dealing with a toe injury.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Auguste Batalla; Ratiu, Lejeune, Mumin, Pep Chavarria; Oscar Valentin, Ciss; Jorge de Frutos, Isi Palazon, Alvaro Garcia; Sergi Guardiola
Unavailable: Unai Lopez (Injured), Raul de Tomas (Illness), Sergio Camello (Injured)
Questionable:
Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano Prediction
Barcelona’s four goals against Sevilla last weekend means that the Catalans have now scored 113 goals in 36 matches across all competitions so far this season at an average of 3.14. Rayo play an intense and aggressive style of football and so will seek to suffocate Barca with that pressing style but on a far more open pitch and venue than Vallecas, it is most likely going to be a difficult game and their open and aggressive style may play into the hands of Barca once again running riot.
Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano Tip: Barcelona to win & over 2.5 goals
