Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News
As Barcelona prepare to face Rayo Vallecano in their penultimate La Liga match of the season, the stakes are high for both teams.
The match, scheduled for Sunday evening at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Team Form and Standings
Barcelona
Barcelona are currently second in the La Liga standings with 79 points from 36 matches.
They have secured 24 wins, seven draws, and five defeats this season. A win on Sunday would cement their second-place finish, keeping them ahead of third-placed Girona.
Barcelona come into this match with back-to-back victories, the latest being a 2-0 win against Almeria, where Fermin Lopez scored both goals.
Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano, on the other hand, are positioned 15th in the table, six points clear of the relegation zone.
They have gathered 38 points this season with a record of eight wins, 14 draws, and 14 losses.
Their recent form has been inconsistent, but a significant 2-1 victory over Granada in their last outing has boosted their survival hopes.
Team News
Barcelona will be missing key players due to injuries. Gavi, Alejandro Balde, and Frenkie de Jong are out for the remainder of the season. Ronald Araujo is also a doubt due to knee pain.
Despite these absences, the Catalan giants have a strong squad with Andreas Christensen, Joao Cancelo, Ilkay Gundogan, and Raphinha expected to return to the starting lineup.
Rayo Vallecano will be without Oscar Trejo, who received a red card in their last match. Diego Mendez is also out with a ligament injury.
Coach Inigo Perez will likely field a similar team to the one that triumphed over Granada, with Sergio Camello leading the attack and Jorge de Frutos, who scored in the last game, pushing for a starting spot.
Prediction
Barcelona’s recent form and home advantage make them the favourites for this clash.
However, Rayo Vallecano have had an impressive run against Barcelona in their last five meetings, securing three wins and two draws. This history suggests…
Source link : https://www.footballcritic.com/news/barcelona-vs-rayo-vallecano-prediction/4794
Author : [email protected] (Jake Skudder)
Publish date : 2024-05-19 06:15:00
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