MX23RW : Sunday, January 19 08:13:57| >> :120:82611:82611:
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Rayo Vallecano logo
La Liga
Oct 4, 2014 at 5pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-2)
Messi (35'), Neymar (36')

Preview: Rayo Vallecano vs. Barcelona

Sports Mole takes a closer look at Saturday's La Liga clash between Rayo Vallecano and Barcelona.

Rayo Vallecano have the unenviable task of taking on a Barcelona side desperate to return to form following a disappointing night in the Champions League on Tuesday.

A thrilling game in the French capital finished with Barcelona losing 3-2 to Paris Saint-Germain earlier this week, and playing La Liga rivals again is likely to come as a relief to Luis Enrique and his players.

Enrique is likely to make changes to this team, with Claudio Bravo expected to replace Marc-Andre ter Stegen in goal, while Gerard Pique could be welcomed back into the centre of defence.

Rayo Vallecano endured a difficult start to the new campaign, but have suggested over the past two games that they can be confident of, at the very least, matching last season's 12th-place finish.

Leo Baptistao scored a brace in the win over Levante last Saturday, and he is certain to lead the line again as Paco Jemez looks set to name an unchanged side.

Recent form

Rayo Vallecano: DDLLWW

Barcelona: WWWWDW

Possible starting lineups

Rayo Vallecano: Tono, Tito, Ze Castro, Ba, Insua, Baena, Trashorras, Lica, Bueno, Kakuta, Baptistao

Barcelona: Bravo, Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Alba, Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta, Munir, Messi, Neymar

Sports Mole says: 0-3


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Written by
Callum Mulvihill
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico20135234132144
2Real Madrid19134243192443
3Barcelona20123552232939
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal198653431330
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad198471713428
8GironaGirona208482827128
9Sevilla207582329-626
10Rayo Vallecano196762222025
11Real BetisBetis206772226-425
12Osasuna196762328-525
13Celta Vigo197392830-224
14Las PalmasLas Palmas196492429-522
15Leganes205781929-1022
16Getafe204881417-320
17AlavesAlaves2055102432-820
18Espanyol2054111932-1319
19Real ValladolidValladolid2043131439-2515
20Valencia1927101829-1113


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