MX23RW : Friday, November 22 22:52:22| >> :60:734:734:
[monks data]
Attendance: 74,158
Barcelona logo
La Liga | Gameweek 27
Mar 9, 2019 at 5.30pm UK
 
Rayo Vallecano logo

3-1

Pique (38'), Messi (51' pen.), Suarez (82')
FT(HT: 1-1)
de Tomas (24')

How Barcelona could line up against Rayo Vallecano

Sports Mole looks at how Barcelona could line up in Saturday's home La Liga clash with Rayo Vallecano.

Barcelona will be looking to continue their charge towards the La Liga title when they host Madrid minnows Rayo Vallecano this weekend.

As it stands, Barca have a seven-point lead over second-placed Atletico Madrid at the summit, while they are also chasing Copa del Rey and Champions League glory.

Ernesto Valverde's side beat Real Madrid in the league last weekend to move onto 60 points, and that victory came three days after a 3-0 success away to Los Blancos in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final.

The Catalan giants will host Lyon next Wednesday in the second leg of their last-16 Champions League tie, which is level at 0-0 following the reverse game in France.

Their immediate attention will be on this weekend's clash with Rayo, though, and Sports Mole has taken a look at how the Spanish champions could line up against the capital outfit at Camp Nou.


POSS BAR XI vs. RAYO

Out: Rafinha (knee), Thomas Vermaelen (muscle), Clement Lenglet (suspended)

The fact that the Lyon match is on the horizon will be on Valverde's mind when it comes to team selection, but the majority of the squad have not played since the clash with Madrid last weekend.

Barca did suffer a 1-0 defeat to Girona in the Catalan Super Cup on Wednesday night, but it was a much-changed XI, with perhaps only Samuel Umtiti starting from what is considered their strongest side.

Umtiti should keep his spot on Saturday due to Clement Lenglet's suspension, while Rafinha and Thomas Vermaelen are the team's only absentees when it comes to injury.

Arthur is back to full fitness following injury and the Brazilian should start in the middle of midfield.

Meanwhile, Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Ousmane Dembele should start as the front three, meaning that Philippe Coutinho will be named on the bench once again as the Brazilian continues to struggle for his best form.

The only other big call will come at right-back as Valverde chooses between Nelson Semedo and Sergi Roberto.

ID:352631: cacheID:352631:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4812:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Vinicius Junior celebrates the own goal during the La Liga game between Real Madrid and Real Valladolid on November 3, 2018
Read Next:
Combined XI: Real Madrid vs. Barcelona
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Steelers
19-24
Browns
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona13110240122833
2Real Madrid1283125111427
3Atletico MadridAtletico137511971226
4Villarreal127322319424
5Osasuna136341720-321
6Athletic Bilbao135531913620
7Real BetisBetis135531412220
8Real Sociedad135351110118
9Mallorca135351010018
10GironaGirona135351617-118
11Celta Vigo135262022-217
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15Getafe142751011-113
16AlavesAlaves134181422-813
17Las PalmasLas Palmas133371622-612
18Espanyol123181122-1110
19Real ValladolidValladolid142391027-179
20Valencia11146817-97


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!