The Matchday 24 clash in La Liga between Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano will take place on February 17 at the Olympic Stadium named after Lluis Companys. Barcelona vs. Rayo Vallecano: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Barcelona
The club comes into this match on a three-game winning streak in the league. The Catalans have secured home victories against Valencia (7-1) and Alaves (1-0), and in the last round, they convincingly defeated Sevilla away with a score of 4-1. After a slump in December and January, the team is gradually getting back into the title race in La Liga: before this round, they trail Real Madrid by two points and Atletico Madrid by one point. Notably, Hans Flick's side leads the league in goals scored with 64.
Goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, defender Andreas Christensen, and midfielder Marc Bernal are sidelined due to injuries. Midfielder Fermin Lopez will miss the match due to suspension.
- The number "1" has appeared in the final scoreline of Barcelona's last six La Liga matches.
- At least three goals have been scored in 12 of Barcelona's last 16 league games.
- The club's uncompromising home streak in La Liga stands at 16 matches (13 wins and 3 losses).
Predicted lineup for Barcelona (4-3-3)
Wojciech Szczesny – Inigo Martinez, Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Alex Balde – Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Gavi – Lamine Yamal, Raphinha Dias, Robert Lewandowski.
Rayo Vallecano
The Madrid side is unbeaten in nine league matches (5 wins and 4 draws). Moreover, they have won their last three games: at home against Girona (2-1) and Valladolid (1-0), and away against Leganes (1-0). This streak has lifted them to a high sixth place in the standings.
Midfielders Jonathan Montiel and Unai Lopez, forwards Sergio Camello and Raul de Tomas will miss the game due to injuries.
- The number "1" has appeared in the final scoreline of Rayo Vallecano's last seven league matches.
- No more than three goals have been scored in Rayo Vallecano's last seven La Liga games.
- The first half ended in a draw in 6 of the club's last 8 La Liga matches.
Predicted lineup for Rayo Vallecano (4-2-3-1)
Augusto Batalla – Florian Lejeune, Andrei Ratiu, Pep Chavarria, Abdul Mumin – Pathé Ciss, Unai Lopez – Jorge de Frutos, Isi Palazon, Alvaro Garcia – Sergio Camello.
Match Prediction: Barcelona vs. Rayo Vallecano
In the current season, the Madrid side has suffered only six defeats. Five of those losses were by a one-goal margin, and only once did they lose by two goals. Overcoming this solid and cohesive team is not easy, so I believe the Catalans will not thrash Rayo Vallecano. Additionally, the capital team has not lost by two or more goals in their last 12 away La Liga matches.
Barcelona, on the other hand, has only thrashed Valencia in their last six home La Liga matches, and they have only won by two goals once. Furthermore, in the last nine head-to-head league encounters, Rayo Vallecano has only once lost by a large margin. Therefore, my prediction is Rayo Vallecano with a handicap (+2)
