Prediction: Rayo Vallecano vs Barcelona

Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Looking to extend on their early La Liga flurry, Barcelona will travel to Madrid when they meet Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday night.

Rayo Vallecano

Starting with the hosts, at the heart of a public La Liga struggle last season as they only just clung to their top-flight status, Rayo Vallecano are looking for a smoother ride this time around. However, getting proceedings underway with a stunning performance on August 18th as they snatched a 2-1 victory away at Real Sociedad, Inigo Perez’s men should find the mood in their camp at a real high. Collecting four points from their first two La Liga appearances, the Little Thunderbolts will certainly be excited to make a return to the Spanish capital here. Despite being pencilled in as a real underdog contender on Tuesday night, Vallecano do hold a sensational record against the former Spanish champions on home soil. In fact, Perez’s side have collected seven points from their last three La Liga showdowns against Barcelona at the El Campo de Futbol de Vallecas.

Team News

Still dealing with a long-term injury issue and not making a single appearance across any competition since the start of January, Rayo Vallecano will once again be without the services of Diego Mendez here. Likewise, missing out against Getafe over the weekend with a knock, Romania international Andrei Ratiu is seen as a doubt on Tuesday night.

Opening his La Liga account away at Real Sociedad earlier in the month, former Levante star Jorge de Frutos will play a leading role in the final third. Despite arriving in the Spanish capital this summer on a free transfer, 26-year-old Pedro Diaz will be forced to settle for another spot on the bench.

Barcelona

As for the visitors, getting a new era underway this summer following the arrival of Hansi Flick, Barcelona appear to be enjoying life under the former Bayern Munich boss. Opening the 2024/25 campaign with a 2-1 victory away at Valencia, the Spanish giants have their sights firmly set on mounting a genuine title charge this time around. Making it back-to-back La Liga wins over the weekend as they secured another 2-1 victory at home against Athletic Bilbao, Tuesday’s guests will be desperate to extend on their recent purple patch. Landing a routine 3-0 romp when they last met Rayo Vallecano back on May 19th, Barcelona have won all of their previous six La Liga appearances on either side of the summer break. Despite facing what could be a rugged challenge in midweek, Flick’s camp will be excited by a trip to Madrid here.

Team News

While Spain international Dani Olmo might have arrived from RB Leipzig this summer, the 26-year-old has not been officially added to Barcelona’s squad and will once again miss out here. All still dealing with respective injury issues, the likes of Ansu Fati, Ronald Araujo, Frenkie de Jong and Gavi will not feature.

Bagging the winner against Athletic Bilbao over the weekend and notching three goals in his first two La Liga appearances, Polish record-breaker Robert Lewandowski will spearhead Flick’s charge in the final third. Likewise, notching a first La Liga goal of the season in Catalonia a few days ago, 17-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal will partner Lewandowski in attack.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Rayo Vallecano and Barcelona last met back on May 19th, Tuesday’s guests collected a 3-0 romp in Catalonia.
• However, Barca have collected just a single point from any of their previous three La Liga trips to the El Campo de Futbol de Vallecas.
• Continuing on from last season, Barcelona have won all of their previous six La Liga appearances.
• Robert Lewandowski has recorded three goals in his first two La Liga appearances.
• Extending on from last season, Vallecano have lost just a pair of their previous eight La Liga matchups in front of their own supporters.

Conclusion

While Barcelona might have stormed their way to a 3-0 romp when they welcomed Vallecano to Catalonia back on May 19th, the Spanish heavyweights do hold a nightmare record in the capital. Remarkably collecting just a single point from any of their previous three La Liga trips to the El Campo de Futbol de Vallecas, Tuesday’s hosts could prove to be a tricky test here.

Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet