'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Defending champions FC Barcelona have had a shaky start to the current La Liga season. Coming into the eighth game week with only 15 points, the team sits at the fourth position in the league table, with Villarreal being the surprise leaders. Having lost their last fixture against Sevilla, it waits to be seen how they tackle Rayo with quite a large number of their big names missing. Rayo, who are not doing great themselves, come into the game with seven points in seven games on the back of two consecutive losses against Sevilla and Real Betis.
Trending
This promises to be an interesting weekend with so much on the line. Villarreal will be trying to do their best to beat Celta Vigo to remain on top of the league while Real Madrid will also be hoping to beat Levante to stay ahead of their Catalan rivals. Villarreal and Celta Vigo should be an interesting game with both teams fighting for the top spot.
Kick Off
Channel: Sony Kix
Live Stream: starsports.com
Date and Time: Sunday, 18th October 2015 – 0000 IST
Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona
Team News
Barcelona
Barcelona come into the game with a severely depleted squad, all thanks to injuries and the transfer ban imposed by FIFA. As if missing Rafinha initially was not enough, they have lost their talisman Lionel Messi and captain Andres Iniesta to injuries as well. Dani Alves is back though and should be fit to play in his usual right back position.With Rafinha already out for most of the season, we can hope to see Sergi Roberto starting in midfield, a position in which he hasn’t played much this season. However, Suarez having been declared fit to play and Vermaelen returning does provide some respite to the team.
Rayo Vallecano
Rayo haven’t had that good of a start themselves, with only two wins in seven games. Manager Paco Jemez believes that Barcelona is beatable as Sevilla and Celta have shown and will be fielding his strongest side available to try to keep the ball from Barcelona as much as possible. Much will depend on midfielder Roberto Trashorras, who hasn’t been on his best so far this season.
Form
Barcelona
It is clear that things are not going as expected for Barcelona. Having lost two league games already this early in this season, they are currently sitting in fourth position, joined by Real Madrid and Celta Vigo, both with similar number of points. Even in the games that have been won, we haven’t seen much of the impressive brand of football that has come to be associated with FC Barcelona.
The absence of the trio of Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Rafinha has had a severe effect on the team’s attacking prowess as was clearly visible in the last game against Sevilla. The major problem has been the defensive form, though. Except Jordi Alba, none of the defenders have been at their best so far this season. Luis Enrique will be looking to rectify the weaknesses in defense that were laid bare by the Celta Vigo and Sevilla forwards.
Last 5 games: WLWWL (Most Recent: Sevilla 2 -1 Barcelona)
Rayo Vallecano
Rayo have been struggling in the league so far. With only seven points in as many games, they will be looking forward to return to winning ways. Having been blanked by visitors Real Betis in their last league fixture before the international break, a loss at Camp Nou could potentially put them in the relegation zone, a place where you don’t want to be at any point in the season.
Last 5 games: LWWLL (Most Recent: Rayo 0 – 2 Real Betis)
Key Stats
Barcelona have beaten Rayo in the last nine fixtures between the two teams.
The last encounter between the two teams was in March, in which Barcelona comfortably beat the visitors 6 -1. Lionel Messi scored a hattrick and Suarez scored a brace in the game.
An average of 4.9 goals have been scored in the last eight encounters between the teams, with Barcelona having scored 37 and Rayo only two.
Probable Lineups
Barcelona (4-3-3):
Bravo, Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba, Rakitic, Busquets, Roberto, Munir, Suarez, Neymar
Rayo Vallecano (4-2-3-1):
Tono, Tito, Llorente, Castro, Nacho, Trashorras, Baenna, Embarba, Jozabed, Bebe, Guerra
Prediction
Barcelona 3 – 1 Rayo Vallecano
Most players from Barcelona haven’t got the much-needed rest as most of them were away on international duty. Coupled with the massive list of injuries, this could be a tough game for the Catalans. While the circumstances might be against them, the past results clearly show that Barcelona have not much to worry about and are still expected to win.
