Barcelona Face Rayo Vallecano: Everything You Need to Know Before Kickoff

Barcelona welcome Rayo Vallecano to Camp Nou on Monday in the final fixture of La Liga's weekend schedule, aiming to maintain their flawless start to the campaign.

Hansi Flick's men have been commanding in their first two outings, breezing past Elche and Athletic Club with fluid attacking football and a resolute defensive unit that has yet to be beaten.

Rayo Vallecano, on the other hand, are still searching for their opening win of the season and are licking their wounds after picking up several key injuries during a 1–1 stalemate with Deportivo Alavés last time out — a result that earned Beñat San José his first point since taking charge in Vallecas.

Barcelona have looked formidable early on, but so too have Real Madrid under Jose Mourinho. Los Blancos cruised to another win on Sunday, piling the pressure on Barcelona to respond and avoid being the first of the two title rivals to drop points in the 2026–27 season.

Barcelona vs. Rayo Vallecano Score Prediction

Barça Remains Perfect On The Season

Barcelona are strong favorites to claim all three points, though Rayo Vallecano have proven to be a particularly awkward opponent since the beginning of the Flick era.

While Barcelona have remained unbeaten against Rayo during this stretch, they've had to dig deep to grind out positive results, even on home soil. The visitors, however, no longer have Iñigo Pérez in the dugout and have looked vulnerable in the early stages of the season.

Elche and Athletic Club were relatively straightforward opponents to open the campaign, and while Rayo will undoubtedly present a sterner test, the level the Spanish champions have shown across their first two matches should be enough to secure a third consecutive victory.

Prediction: Barcelona 2–0 Rayo Vallecano

Barcelona Predicted Lineup vs. Rayo Vallecano

Barcelona are in relatively good health, with Frenkie de Jong and Rooony Bardghji the only notable long-term absentees. Gavi is expected to return imminently, though Monday may still come too soon for him to feature.

The defensive line is set to remain unchanged, but having made his Barça debut against Athletic Club, Rodri could earn his first start for the club alongside Pedri — giving fans an early look at how the partnership between two elite midfielders will function at club level.

Anthony Gordon's impact faded as the game wore on against Athletic Club, while Karim Adeyemi made an immediate impression from the bench in the build-up to Barça's second goal. With each summer signing having started once so far, and the substitute role proving more productive in both instances, the German could be handed a starting berth as competition for places in the XI begins to intensify.

Raphinha will captain the side and lead the attack as Barça's No. 9. The Brazilian has enjoyed a bright start to the season, and supporters will be hoping his excellent form can begin to rub off on Lamine Yamal, who is yet to truly hit his stride.

Barcelona Predicted Lineup vs. Rayo Vallecano (4-2-3-1): J. García; E. García, Cubarsí, Martín, Espart; Rodri, Pedri; Yamal, López, Adeyemi; Raphinha

Rayo Vallecano Predicted Lineup vs. Barcelona

The away side will need to navigate around several notable injury concerns that have left manager San José with a significant selection puzzle.

First-choice goalkeeper Augusto Batalla suffered a broken leg in the last match and faces an extended spell on the sidelines, meaning Dani Cárdenas — who has made just 24 appearances since the 2023–24 season got underway — will be tasked with facing the most potent attack in La Liga.

The absence of playmaker Isi Palazón is another blow for Rayo. The dynamic Jorge de Frutos could be the man San José turns to in the No. 10 role, which would open the door for experienced winger Álvaro García to come into the starting XI on the left flank.

Pathé Ciss is at the center of a high-profile transfer saga, reportedly refusing to train with the squad in a bid to force an exit. He is not expected to play on Monday, with Óscar Valentín likely to fill a midfield berth in his absence.

Rayo Vallecano Predicted Lineup vs. Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Cárdenas; Ratiu, Lejeune, Fernández, Vertrouwd; Valentín, López; Pérez, De Frutos, García; Camello

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