Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano – Preview, H2H, Line-ups, Prediction | La Liga 2022-23

Pedri during the match between FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad
Pedri during the match between FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad

Barcelona will look to begin the new La Liga season with a bang when they welcome Rayo Vallecano to Camp Nou this Saturday.  

Venue: Camp Nou (Barcelona) 

Key Statistics

Barcelona have won 14 of their last 20 league matches

The hosts have scored 2+ goals in six of their last 10 home league games. 

A penalty has been awarded in five of the last seven La Liga head-to-heads between both sides. 

Rayo Vallecano have failed to win any of their last five league matches.

The visitors have lost their last three league games while conceding eleven goals. 

Rayo Vallecano have conceded 2+ goals in six of their last 10 away league matches. 

Last season, Rayo picked up 18 defeats; the joint-fourth most by any side.

Head to head

Rayo Vallecano have won the last two head-to-head meetings between both sides. But Barcelona have the upper hand over the last 15 games between both sides, winning 13 times and losing just twice. 

Latest performances in all competitions

Barcelona: W-W-D-W-W

Rayo Vallecano: D-D-W-D-W

Barcelona

After a tumultuous 2021/22 season that saw them go trophyless and extend their wait for the La Liga title to three seasons, Barcelona will look to begin their new season on a positive note when they welcome Rayo Vallecano to the newly remanded Spotify Camp Nou.

The hosts have enjoyed a productive summer that has come with the additions of Raphinha, Andreas Christensen, Franck Kessie, Robert Lewandowski and Jules Kounde to their squad. Although they have been unable to register any of the players as yet, there remains optimism within the Barca camp following the impressive pre-season outings that saw them win five out of their seven friendlies, including a 1-0 win over fierce rivals Real Madrid

The aim will now be to turn their pre-season form into league performance as they look to regain their lost supremacy in La Liga. 

A win here will see them extend their record of 12 wins in season openers across the last 13 LL campaigns; something that Xavi will be keen on achieving as he looks to build early momentum in the race for the La Liga title. 

Possible Barcelona starting line-up

Marc Ter Stegen; Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Eric Garcia, Jordi Alba; Frenkie de Jong, Sergio Busquets, Pedri; Raphinha, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ousmane Dembele.

Injured: None  

Doubtful: None 

Suspended: None 

Rayo Vallecano

After a disappointing end to what was a largely successful 2021/22 La Liga season, Rayo Vallecano will look to begin the new season on a positive note when they travel to Catalonia to play Barcelona. 

The visitors were one of the surprise teams of La Liga last season as they put together a positive run of results to finish in12th place. However, they could have finished even higher had they not lost their last three games of the season by an aggregate score of 11-4. 

Their last league game was a disappointing 4-1 loss to relegated Levante and extended their winless run in the league to five games (D2, L3).

But having beaten Barcelona in both of their meeting in La Liga without conceding a goal in both legs, they will look to cause another upset this time and give themselves a fighting chance in what could be a long season if they fail to get past the first hurdle with a win. 

Possible Rayo Vallecano starting line-up

Diego Lopez; Ivan Balliu, Florian Lejeune, Alejandro Catena, Fran Garcia; Santi Comesana, Oscar Valentin; Isi Palazon, Oscar trejo, Garcia Rivera; Radamel Falcao. 

Injured: None 

Doubtful: None 

Suspended: None 

Prediction

Barcelona 3-0 Rayo Vallecano