Barcelona have made a winning start to their La Liga campaign and after two matches, the Catalans are sitting second on the league table, based only on goal difference. Next up, they have a midweek fixture where they hit the road to take on Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday night.
The Catalans have quickly gathered momentum for the new season, and although they are averaging 2.8 goals per match against Rayo Vallecano, this midweek clash is going to be a tricky encounter for Hansi Flick’s side.
Barcelona had picked up a 3-0 victory over Vallecano in May, but before that, the Blaugrana had not beaten Rayo Vallecano in their previous five meetings. Before their win a couple of months ago, we’d have to go all the way back to January 2021, when Barca defeated RV 2-1 in a Copa del Rey match.
On paper, Barcelona have enough firepower to pick up their third straight win of the 24/25 season. Even though this is an away fixture, we expect Flick’s side to come home with all three points because they have lost just one out of their previous 37 La Liga outings.
Barcelona’s team news and injuries:
With Christensen and Ronald Araujo both sidelined due to injuries, Hansi Flick is once again going to rely on Inigo MartÃnez and 17-year-old Pau Cubarsi as his primary centre-back pairing.
Midfielder Frenkie de Jong is on the sidelines recovering from an ankle injury while Gavi will be out for the next few weeks owing to a ligament injury.
Dani Olmo has missed the first two matches of the season because the club has yet not been able to register him. According to reports on Monday, Barcelona still haven’t cleared enough funds to complete his registration and although Dani Olmo will eventually become a Barca player, it seems likely that he will miss the Rayo Vallecano match as well.
If Olmo is not available the manager will stick to his current midfield trio. Pedri and Bernal will play in the central roles with Raphinha occupying the No. 10 position.
Fermin Lopez and Ferran Torres are going to fit it out for the left-winger’s spot but since Torres started at the weekend, Hansi Flick is likely to rest him and hand Lopez a start at the Estadio de Vallecas.
Robert Lewandowski has already scored three goals in the first two games of the season and the Poland international will once again lead the line for Barcelona.
Barcelona predicted line up vs Rayo Vallecano:
Predicted Starting XI(4-2-3-1): Ter Stegen; Balde, Kounde, Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez; Pedri, Bernal; Raphinha/Dani Olmo, Yamal, Fermin Lopez; Lewandowski.
