Fresh after learning their opponents for the new UEFA Champions League (UCL) league phase, full attention now turns back to La Liga for Barcelona. They are preparing to travel to the Vallecas Stadium on Sunday night to match up against Rayo Vallecano.
The defending champions have enjoyed a perfect start to the 2025/26 league campaign so far, winning both of their opening two games. Meanwhile, Vallecano have had a mixed start, winning one and losing one of their first two matches.
Contents
Rayo Vallecano vs Barcelona prediction: Barca to maintain perfect start?
Key stats
- Vallecano have won four of their last five games in total in all competitions.
- Barcelona have won seven matches in a row across all competitions.
- Barcelona have won the previous three H2Hs.
Correct score prediction: Rayo Vallecano 1-3 Barcelona
Barcelona are in such great form that even though Vallecano have also impressed in recent games, we still fancy the away side to pick up all three points. We do also fancy the hosts to find the back of the net though.
Pre-game odds and probability: Barcelona unsurprisingly the big favourites with bookmakers
- HOME: 11/2 (6.50) – 15.4%
- DRAW: 4/1 (5.00) – 20.0%
- AWAY: 2/5 (1.40) – 71.4%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
As shown by the implied probabilities, Barcelona are unsurprisingly the big favourites with bookmakers to pick up all three points away from home. A draw is currently rated at 20% at the time of writing, while a Vallecano victory on home soil can be backed at just over 15%.
Also, feel free to check out our dedicated Football Betting Tips Today page, as well as our La Liga predictions & betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Barcelona hard to beat
As mentioned before, Barcelona have won the last three meetings between the two sides in all competitions. Their unbeaten run against Vallecano stretches further back to four H2Hs.
Spain La Liga 17/02/25
Barcelona
Rayo Vallecano
Spain La Liga 27/08/24
Rayo Vallecano
Barcelona
Spain La Liga 19/05/24
Barcelona
Rayo Vallecano
Spain La Liga 25/11/23
Rayo Vallecano
Barcelona
Spain La Liga 26/04/23
Rayo Vallecano
Barcelona
Rayo Vallecano preview: Mendy and Mumin only absentees
Both Nobel Mendy and Abdul Mumin are the only absentees for Vallecano through injury. After resting a number of players in Europe in midweek, the hosts will be expected to resort back to their strongest possible starting XI up against such a formidable opponent.
Predicted lineup: Batalla (GK), Chavarria, Felipe, Lejeune, Ratiu, Lopez, Ciss, Garcia, Diaz, Palazon & De Frutos
Spain La Liga 09/05/25
W
Las Palmas
0
Rayo Vallecano
1
Spain La Liga 02/05/25
W
Getafe
0
Rayo Vallecano
1
Spain La Liga 24/04/25
L
Atletico Madrid
3
Rayo Vallecano
0
Spain La Liga 19/04/25
D
Valencia
1
Rayo Vallecano
1
Spain La Liga 13/04/25
L
Athletic Bilbao
3
Rayo Vallecano
1
Barcelona preview: Gavi a major doubt
Spain international central midfield player Gavi is unfortunately a major doubt for Barcelona, and so is unlikely to play a part for the visitors here at least from the start. Germany international goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is a long-term absentee with injury, while star striker Robert Lewandowski may have to settle for a place on the substitutes bench once again.
Predicted lineup: Garcia (GK), Balde, Cubarsi, Araujo, Kounde, Pedri, De Jong, Raphinha, Olmo, Yamal & Ferran
Spain La Liga 11/05/25
W
Real Madrid
3
Barcelona
4
UEFA Champions League 06/05/25
L
Inter Milan
4
Barcelona
3
Spain La Liga 03/05/25
W
Valladolid
1
Barcelona
2
UEFA Champions League 30/04/25
D
Inter Milan
3
Barcelona
3
Spain Copa del Rey 26/04/25
W
Real Madrid
2
Barcelona
3
Player to watch: Ferran Torres
Ferran Torres has started well for Barcelona so far in the 2025/26 campaign, scoring in both matches in La Liga. The Spain international forward is keeping Lewandowski out of the starting XI at the moment, and will be hoping to continue his form into Sunday night against Vallecano.