Verdict: Barcelona win & Both teams to score
Best Odds: 6/4
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Looking to avoid a potential banana skin on Monday night, Barcelona will welcome Rayo Vallecano to Catalonia.
Barcelona
Starting with the hosts, while Barcelona might have found themselves at the heart of a minor struggle prior to Spain’s festive break, Hansi Flick’s side have come roaring back in some style. Crowned Super League champions on January 12th as they secured a sensational 5-1 victory against arch-rivals Real Madrid over in the Middle East, the former Bayern Munich boss has seen his squad gain a string of plaudits. Last seen putting in another dominant display as they cruised their way to a 4-1 win away at Sevilla, Barcelona are unbeaten in all of their last 11 appearances across all competitions. Landing a Champions League top-eight finish last month, Flick’s men have also continued to shine with their clinical displays in the final third. Extending on their Copa del Rey adventure on February 6th as they claimed a thumping 5-0 romp against Valencia, Barca have recorded 41 goals across all competitions since opening the New Year.
Barcelona Team News
Show a straight red card away at Sevilla last week, 21-year-old Fermin Lopez will miss out through suspension here. Not expected to feature over the remainder of the season after suffering a long-term knee injury at the end of September, German goalkeeper Marc-Andre her Stegen will miss out on Monday night.
Recording 19 La Liga goals this season and leading the chase for Spain’s Golden Boot, Polish record-breaker Robert Lewandowski will lead the line. Enjoying a new lease of life since opening the New Year, Frankie de Jong will be hoping to keep his spot from the start.
Rayo Vallecano
As for the visitors, although Rayo Vallecano might have only just clung to their La Liga status last season, the Little Thunderbolts have enjoyed a history-making run this time around. Battling it out in the European chase and with the mood in their camp at a red-hot high, Inigo Perez’s men should be relishing a trip to Catalonia on Monday night. Last seen putting in another rugged display as they secured a 1-0 victory against Real Valladolid, the Madrid-based outfit have won each of their previous three La Liga appearances by an aggregate score of 4-1. In fact, despite watching their Copa del Rey adventure come to an end on January 16th following a 3-1 defeat against Real Sociedad, Vallecano are unbeaten in all of their last nine consecutive La Liga appearances – a purple patch that stems all the way back to December 1st.
Rayo Vallecano Team News
Both suffering respective first-half injuries against Real Valladolid last week, Vallecano are expected to be without the duo of Unai Lopez and former Atletico Madrid starlet Sergio Camello. Not featuring across any competition since the end of October, 26-year-old Jonathan Montiel remains on the sidelines.
Despite registering just a single La Liga strike so far this season, ex-Espanyol striker Adrian Embarba could be handed the chance to spearhead Perez’s charge in Catalonia. One-time Newcastle defender Florian Lejeune will partner Ghana international Abdul Mimin at the back.
Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano Key Factors to Consider
- When Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano met for their reverse La Liga meeting on August 27th, Monday’s hosts collected a 2-1 win in Madrid.
- In fact, Barcelona have won their last two La Liga meetings against the Little Thunderbolts by an aggregate score of 5-1.
- Barcelona have remarkably scored 41 goals across all competitions since returning from Spain’s festive break.
- Rayo Vallecano have won each of their last three La Liga appearances by an aggregate score of 4-1.
- Likewise, Monday’s guests are unbeaten in all of their previous nine consecutive La Liga appearances.
Conclusion
While Barcelona might be pencilled in as a landslide contender when they return to Catalonia on Monday night, the Spanish giants will certainly be bracing themselves for a stern examination here. However, although Rayo Vallecano might be in the midst of a remarkable nine-match La Liga unbeaten run, the Little Thunderbolts will be concerned by their recent issues against Monday’s hosts. Watching Barca land a 2-1 win when they travelled to Madrid for their reverse meeting on August 27th, we are expecting a similar outcome.
Verdict: Barcelona win & Both teams to score
Best Odds: 6/4
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
