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Fresh from a 7-2 victory in the UEFA Champions League, Barcelona turn their focus back to LaLiga as they host Rayo Vallencano, looking to go into the international break on a high.
The Catalonians made a statement in their thrashing of Newcastle on Wednesday night. Despite Newcastle turning up for three quarters of the two legs, the final 45 was nothing less than a complete destruction from one of the most dangerous attacking teams on the planet.
Defensively, they are still suspect, having conceded in nine of their last 13 competitive matches, and now face a Rayo Vallencano side that held them to a 1-1 draw at the beginning of the season.
Rayo come into this game having ended their seven-game unbeaten streak on Thursday night when they lost in the UEFA Europa Conference League to Samsunspor.
Despite the loss, they still progressed on 3-2 on aggregate and have further European escapades to look forward to. Sitting six points off the drop zone, the Red Sashes still need to look over their shoulder as a run of bad results could find them pulled back into the core of the relegation battle.
Barcelona v Rayo Vallencano key information
• Date: Sunday, March 22
• Kick-off time: 1pm GMT
• Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona
• Referee: N/A
• VAR: N/A
• TV channels: Premier Sports (UK)
• Odds: FCB (1/4) - DRAW (6/1) - RAY (17/2)
Barcelona team news
Barcelona will have to wait and see on the fitness of two players for this Sunday’s game. Eric Garcia had to come off after only 22 minutes against Newcastle on Wednesday with a muscle issue, along with goalkeeper Joan Garcia after 82 minutes.
Neither has trained this week in the lead-up to the Rayo game, instead focusing on recovery, and both are predicted to be fit enough for Sunday.
Frenkie de Jong, Jules Kounde, Alejandro Balde and Andreas Christensen all remain out but are hopeful of being back after the international break.
Barcelona predicted lineup v Rayo Vallencano, (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Hansi Flick
Joan Garcia; Cancelo, Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Martin; Bernal, Pedri; Yamal, Fermin, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Rayo Vallencano team news
Rayo will be without defender Nobel Mendy because of a suspension. The 21-year-old was sent off for two yellow cards against Levante on Monday, the second for a deliberate handball. Diego Mendez remains out with an injury and is the only other player missing from the Rayo squad.
Rayo Vallencano predicted lineup v Barcelona (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Inigo Perez
Batalla; Ratiu, Balliu, Lejeune, Pacha; Gumbau, Ciss; De Frutos, Diaz, Alvaro Garcia; Alemao
Where to watch on TV or live stream?
Barcelona’s game against Rayo Vallencano will be shown on Premier Sports. To watch, you need to have a Premier Sports subscription, and then the match can be streamed online or on Sky.
Head-to-head record
After 13 consecutive LaLiga wins against Rayo Vallecano between May 2003 and March 2019, Barcelona have only won three of their last nine matches against them in the competition. The most recent meeting was a 1-1 draw in August.
What may work for Barcelona in this game, despite their ominous form, is the away form of their opponents. Rayo Vallecano have not won any of their last eight away matches in LaLiga (D3 L5), their longest winless run on the road in the competition since May 2024. Barcelona have won six of their last seven matches in all competitions (1D) and have won every home LaLiga game this season.
Odds for Barcelona v Ray Vallencano
Barcelona are the favourites to win at bet365, coming in at 1/4. Rayo are at 17/2, with a draw at 6/1.
Odds correct at time of writing, subject to change.