Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano — Tips & Analysis

Barcelona -2: Barcelona have started this season at full speed and Rayo arrive short of their best players. Barcelona opened with a 5-0 win at Elche and then beat Athletic Club 2-0. They have won 11 of their last 14 games and let in under a goal a game. Rayo are missing their captain and main creator Isi Palazon, centre back Luiz Felipe and goalkeeper Batalla, with Kumbulla a doubt as well. They score just over a goal a game and they will not come here and open up. Rayo's plan at Camp Nou is always the same. Sit deep, keep the game small, hope for one chance. It has worked before. The last five meetings finished 1-0, 1-1, 1-0, 2-1 and 3-0. Barcelona still lead the last 20 meetings 14 wins to 3. The most likely single score is a 2-0 Barcelona win, so we want them to find a third. With Rayo patched up at the back and Barcelona creating this much, that third goal is a fair ask. The risk is the shape of the game. Rayo have lost by 2 or more goals in only 2 of their last 16, and they are hard to break down when they sit in. Barcelona also have 4 days' rest to Rayo's 11, with Gavi and Frenkie de Jong out. We are still backing Barcelona to win this by a distance.