Preview, expected line-ups, stats and where to watch

Preview for Barcelona v Rayo Vallecano

Barcelona will aim to extend their unbeaten home La Liga run to 21 consecutive victories when Rayo Vallecano arrive at the Spotify Camp Nou on Monday evening.

Rayo head to Catalonia carrying just one point from their opening two games and a stadium crisis that has already forced them to play a home match away from Vallecas.

Barcelona sit near the top of the early La Liga standings and will be confident of extending that advantage further on Monday, particularly given their record against Rayo at Camp Nou.

The hosts have not conceded in four consecutive home meetings against this opponent, winning three of them.

There is little in Rayo’s opening two results to suggest they possess the tools to end that run. Benat San Jose’s side lost 2-1 to Sevilla on the opening day, before drawing 1-1 with Alaves.

The La Liga Table

Team News for Barcelona v Rayo Vallecano

Rodri came off the bench to make his Barcelona debut against Athletic Bilbao and could be in line for his first start on Monday. Raphinha and Fermin Lopez have both scored three goals in their opening two games and are expected to feature once again.

Gavi remains a doubt and is unlikely to be risked, with the midfielder still working his way back to full fitness. Frenkie de Jong and Roony Bardghji both remain sidelined, with no return dates confirmed for either player.

Rayo are dealing with significant squad disruption of their own. Goalkeeper Augusto Batalla is out with a broken leg sustained against Alaves, leaving Dani Cardenas to continue between the sticks after negotiations for Osasuna’s Aitor Fernandez stalled.

Isi Palazon was spotted back in group training and could be available after recovering from a muscle injury, while Luiz Felipe remains out with a hamstring complaint.

Marash Kumbulla is also managing a lingering injury issue, while Pathe Ciss is pushing to leave before the transfer window closes and is reportedly refusing to train with the first team in an attempt to force a move.

Expected line-ups for Barcelona v Rayo Vallecano

Barcelona: Garcia; Garcia, Cubarsi, Martin, Espart; Rodri, Pedri; Yamal, Lopez, Raphinha; Gordon

Rayo Vallecano: Cardenas; Vertrouwd, Fernandez, Lejeune, Ratiu; Lopez, Diaz, Valentin; Perez, Camello, De Frutos

Stats for Barcelona v Rayo Vallecano

• Barcelona have won 20 consecutive home La Liga matches.
• Barcelona have scored seven goals and conceded none across their opening two La Liga matches.
• Hansi Flick is the first Barcelona manager in the 21st century to record 20 or more consecutive home league wins.
• Barcelona have not conceded in four successive home meetings against Rayo Vallecano.
• Rayo have taken one point from their opening two La Liga fixtures.
• Rayo lost 2-1 to Sevilla on the opening day despite playing against ten men for a significant period.
• Rayo were forced to play their home draw with Alaves at Butarque in Leganes due to a stadium safety suspension.
• Raphinha and Fermin Lopez have both scored three goals in their first two La Liga appearances this season.

Where to Watch Barcelona v Rayo Vallecano: TV and online streams

Barcelona v Rayo Vallecano will take place at the Spotify Camp Nou on Monday evening, with kick-off at 8:30pm BST.

The match is available to watch in the UK on Premier Sports 1. The game can also be streamed online via the Premier Sports Player for eligible subscribers.

Prediction for Barcelona v Rayo Vallecano

Barcelona

3 – 0

Rayo Vallecano

Barcelona have not conceded against Rayo in four successive home meetings, and a visiting side hampered by squad disruption, a stadium crisis and just one point from their opening two games are unlikely to end that sequence on Monday evening.