FC Barcelona go up against Rayo Vallecano in the La Liga 2022-23 at the Spotify Camp Nou on August 14. The match will start at 12:30 AM IST (Indian Standard Time).
Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie – the list of top signings made by FC Barcelona in the summer transfer window. They have been successfully registered over the last week and can feature in this match.
FC Barcelona were dominant in pre-season, winning five of their seven matches along with two draws. They beat Pumas UNAM 6-0 in their last friendly. The Blaugrana finished second in the league last season, 13 points behind their arch-rivals Real Madrid.
Rayo Vallecano were comfortably clear of the relegation battle in La Liga 2021-22 and managed to finish 12th on the league table with 42 points. However, they won only two games in pre-season and ended last season with three defeats in a row.
FC Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano La Liga 2022-23 odds
Parimatch odds: FC Barcelona: 1.21, Rayo Vallecano: 13.50, Draw: 7.20
Betwinner odds: FC Barcelona: 1.17, Rayo Vallecano: 15.00, Draw: 7.20
Betway odds: FC Barcelona: 1.20, Rayo Vallecano: 13.00, Draw: 7.00
10CRIC odds: FC Barcelona: 1.22, Rayo Vallecano: 12.95, Draw: 7.16
Bet365 odds: FC Barcelona: 1.20, Rayo Vallecano: 13.00, Draw: 7.00
Note: Odds are subject to change. Please visit betting sites to check and confirm the latest odds.
FC Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano head-to-head
FC Barcelona have prevailed over Rayo Vallecano in 15 of the last 20 matches. The visitors have won four while the teams played out a 1-1 draw in 2001.
However, Rayo Vallecano won both their encounters against FC Barcelona by a 1-0 scoreline in the La Liga last season. The Blaugrana have failed to keep a clean sheet in this head-to-head on the last eight occasions.
FC Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano probable starting lineups
FC Barcelona: Marc-Andre ter Stegen (goalkeeper); Sergino Dest, Ronald Araujo, Eric Garcia, Jordi Alba; Gavi, Sergio Busquets (captain), Pedri; Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, Ansu Fati.
Rayo Vallecano: Diego Lopez (goalkeeper); Mario Hernandez, Florian Lejeune, Alejandro Catena (captain), Ivan Balliu; Oscar Valentin, Unai Lopez, Oscar Trejo, Jose Pozo; Randy Nteka, Sergio Camello.
FC Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano La Liga 2022-23 top picks and players to watch
FC Barcelona: Memphis Depay is the top pick in this match. The Dutch striker scored 12 goals along with two assists in La Liga 2021-22. He has also made four goal contributions in the current UEFA Nations League cycle for the Netherlands. In the expected absence of Robert Lewandowski, Memphis will be key for the Blaugrana.
Rayo Vallecano: Oscar Trejo made 12 goal contributions in the La Liga last season. Overall, the central midfielder has scored 27 goals for the club in 185 appearances. He will be the one to watch out for from the visitors against FC Barcelona.
FC Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano La Liga 2022-23 prediction
The hosts, FC Barcelona, are the overwhelming favourites in this encounter. They have the superiority in this head-to-head and were unbeaten in their seven pre-season matches before this fixture, keeping a clean sheet in four.
Rayo Vallecano did the double over FC Barcelona in La Liga 2021-22, however, they finished 31 points below the hosts. They will be the underdogs in this fixture and are unlikely to trouble the in-form Blaugranas.