Rayo Vallecano will host FC Barcelona on Saturday evening at Vallecas Stadium in a La Liga matchup. Barcelona will be looking to bounce back from their surprise 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid last weekend in El Clasico. That loss snapped Barcelona's undefeated streak and allowed Real Madrid to leapfrog them into first place in the league table.
Barcelona will still be without Ansu Fati and Sergio Aguero due to injuries, so coach Xavi will likely start the front three of Memphis Depay, Ferran Torres, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. In midfield, young talent Pedri should start alongside Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong. The defense has been solid with Gerard Pique and Eric Garcia in the center, and newcomers Daniel Alves and Jordi Alba on the flanks. Marc-Andre ter Stegen is the clear starter in goal.
Rayo Vallecano have been one of the surprises of La Liga so far this season. Under coach Andoni Iraola, they play an aggressive style that has helped them to eighth place in the table. Their home form has been especially strong, having lost just once at Vallecas all season in league play. Key attacking players for Rayo include forward Radamel Falcao 👑 and wingers Isi Palazon and Oscar Trejo. In defense, Esteban Saveljich and Leonardo Suarez help protect goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski.
This match favors Barcelona as the stronger and more talented side, but Rayo Vallecano's high-energy style may trouble them, especially playing away. 🏆🏆🏆 Barcelona are chasing another league title and can't afford any more slip-ups if they want to reclaim top spot from Real Madrid. Rayo will give it their all at home to pull off an upset, but Barcelona's class may prevail. It could be a tightly contested match worth watching to see which team's style reigns supreme. The winner will feel confident moving forward while the loser must regroup in a hurry. - https://livesport365.live/match/rayo-vallecano-vs-fc-barcelona-1629326766.html