Rayo Vallecano vs Barcelona Prediction and Betting Tips

Rayo Vallecano go head-to-head against Barcelona on Tuesday. Read our Predictions and Betting Tips with Match Preview, Head-to-head stats (h2h) and Team Form Analysis.

La Liga, KO: 20:30 Aug 27, 2024, Campo de Futbol de Vallecas

Our prediction for this Primera Division match:

Barcelona will look to keep their 100% record in the 2024/2025 La Liga season intact when they take on Rayo Vallecano in the suburbs of Madrid on Matchday 3. Barca made a promising start to the season, but they need to keep on making progress if they are to regain the title. Fermin Lopez should sneak into the starting XI following his fine performance in a 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao, while new signing Dani Olmo is still waiting for his Barcelona debut.

The likes of Andreas Christensen, Ansu Fati, Ronald Araujo, Frenkie De Jong, and Gavi remain in the recovery room. Los Vallecanos, on the other hand, played out a boring goalless draw with Getafe at the weekend. As Hansi Flick’s men have been producing fine displays at the start of the season, we do not believe that the hosts are capable of grabbing something from Tuesday’s clash. Diego Mendez and Andrei Ratiu should be the only absentees in the home team.

How the bookies view it: Three for three for Barca

As it stands, Barcelona are the bookies’ expected winners, with odds priced at 7/10 by Gold99. Coach Hansi Flick’s boys shouldn’t have too many issues securing the three points at Estadio de Vallecas, according to the 188jili bookmakers.

In the meantime, Rayo Vallecano’s odds are valued at 15/4, which, understandably, makes them the underdogs in this race. Therefore, we trust that the Catalan giants will take home the basket full of points.

Recent head-to-head: Barcelona dominates the rivalry

One of the key factors behind Rayo Vallecano’s odds for this match is the fact that coach Inigo Perez’s team has suffered five defeats in the last 10 games against this opponent. The manager lost his only official game against Barcelona on the 19th of May.

Yes, if you look at only the latest couple of games between the two teams – Vallecano have the advantage. However, Barcelona’s 3-0 win in the last official head-to-head could be used as a stepping stone to greater things by the Catalan team.

Players to watch: Another goal bonanza by Lewandowski ahead

Only two La Liga fixtures have passed, but they were enough for Robert Lewandowski to climb to the top of the goalscoring charts. You have to give it to him, he promised more goals in the 2024/25 campaign and so far, he is delivering on that promise, with three goals to his name in the opening games for Barcelona. It seems that the Polish veteran is going to be Mbappe’s key contender for the Top Goalscorer Award in La Liga this season and we expect him to do well against Rayo Vallecano.

Moreover, much can be expected of Sergio Camello as well. He scored a goal for Rayo Vallecano in one of the two games. Surely, there will be a spot among the starters for him.

Predicted line-ups

Sadly, coach Flick won’t be able to utilize many of his key performers. At the back, there’s a Ronald Araujo-shaped hole that is currently being filled by youngster Cubarsi. And the 17-year-old starlet is doing a fine job.

Andreas Christensen is another Barcelona player who is injured and won’t be able to partake in this thrilling La Liga match.

Rayo Vallecano: Cardenas – Balliu, Lejeune, Mumin, Espino – Ciss, Valentin, Trejo – Embarba, de Frutos & Nteka

Barcelona: ter Stegen – Kounde, Balde, Martinez, Cubarsi – Bernal, Pedri, Raphinha – Torres, Yamal & Lewandowski

Rayo Vallecano vs Barcelona Prediction

The away form of Barcelona is so impressive as they follows a four-match winning streak at the moment. They have scored 8 goals in the last four away matches while allowing 4. On the other hand, Rayo Vallecano was winless in seven of their last 10 home outings. However, they have scored 9 goals in their last 10 matches at this venue which is noteworthy.

Also, Barcelona has scored at least two goals in their last seven wins against Rayo Vallecano at this venue. With their current form, we expect the Barcelona side to net over 1.5 goals here.

For all the above reasons, we like to start with Barcelona to win and both teams to score option as the main pick for this match. You can also back the Barcelona to score over 1.5 goals considering their in-form attacking side. Barcelona’s striker Lewandowski has started off this season in an impressive manner and we like to suggest an anytime scorer tip in favor of him.