Barcelona host Rayo Vallecano on Sunday morning as Luis Enrique's side look to move ahead of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga. Barca are just two points behind the league leaders after Real's surprise loss away to Athletic Bilbao on Saturday evening.
Barcelona come into this game in good form having won fourteen of their last fifteen games in all competition. The one negative was a home league defeat to Malaga two weeks ago. Otherwise their home form has been impressive with ten wins from twelve La Liga games at the Camp Nou and they will fully expect to extend that run against Rayo. The Catalans will also be boosted by their midweek win over Villarreal which sealed their place in the Copa del Rey Final against Athletic Bilbao.
Barcelona will be without Neymar who is suspended and Sergio Busquets who picked up an ankle injury in the Copa semi-final which should see starts for Pedro and Javier Mascherano as Barcelona aim to pick up a crucial three points.
Rayo Vallecano are currently eleventh in La Liga, seven points clear of the relegation zone. Rayo have been hugely inconsistent this season and have failed to win back to back games since September. Only Levante and Elche have conceded more than Paco Jemez’s side this season and they will need to tighten up defensively if they are to compete with Barcelona.
Rayo will be without Raul Baena and Ze Castro who are suspended. Tono and Mohammed Fatau are also doubts due to injury and Jemez will be hopeful that their replacements will perform well.
Whilst Barca will be clear favourites to win this game it should at least be an entertaining match to watch. Rayo have been loyal to their attacking, passing style in games against Barcelona and will most likely attempt to control as much of possession as possible against the Catalan giants. In the past this has left gaps in defence which will most likely be punished by Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in their current form.
Probable Teams
Barcelona – Bravo; Alves, Pique, Mathieu, Alba; Rakitic, Mascherano, Xavi; Suarez, Messi, Pedro.
Rayo Vallecano – Alvarez; Tito, Morcillo, Amaya, Nacho; Trashorras, Jozabed; Kakuta, Bueno, Lica; Manucho.