Played
March 18, 2013 1:30 AM IST
Camp Nou — Barcelona
Referee:‬ José González‎
Attendance:‬ 68197‎
 
25′ David Villa
Raúl Tamudo 70′
40′ Lionel Messi
 
57′ Lionel Messi
 

Barcelona-Rayo Vallecano Preview: Catalan giants target fifth straight win over Franjirrojos

Buoyed by their stirring fightback against AC Milan in the Champions League, the Blaugrana welcome Paco Jemez's side to Camp Nou hoping to extend their excellent home form

By Karthick Arvinth

More On :  Barcelona, Rayo Vallecano, Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano
Gerard Pique Barcelona 4-0 AC Milan
Getty

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol could be sidelined for up to a month after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery on Friday.

Xavi (hamstring) and Victor Valdes (suspension) also sit out Sunday's clash, but youngster Marc Bartra is available after overcoming a knee problem.

Midfielder Cesc Fabregas and winger Alexis Sanchez may return to the line-up after starting on the bench against AC Milan in midweek.

Rayo boss Paco Jemez will be without suspended trio Jose Manuel Casado, Javi Fuego and Leo Baptistao.

Mikel Labaka has returned to training following an ankle injury but is not match fit, while fellow defender Jordi Amat is available after serving a one-match ban.

  DID YOU KNOW?
  • Barcelona are on a nine-match winning run at Camp Nou in La Liga.
  • The Catalan giants will face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals, with the first leg to be played at Parc des Princes on April 2.
  • Lionel Messi (pictured, right) has scored 13 goals in his last 11 appearances for Barcelona.
  • Rayo Vallecano are on a four-match winless run away from home in La Liga, losing three.
  • Los Franjirrojos have lost their last four meetings with Barcelona by an aggregate score of 19-0.
  • Rayo's last win over Barca at Camp Nou was a 2-0 success in May 2000.

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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • Barcelona 3-0 Rayo Vallecano
    15.48 %
  • Barcelona 4-0 Rayo Vallecano
    12.63 %
  • Barcelona 3-1 Rayo Vallecano
    8.57 %
Head to Head
La Liga ‎(LIGA)‎ 18-Mar-2013 Barcelona 3 - Rayo Vallecano 1
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La Liga ‎(LIGA)‎ 28-Oct-2012 Rayo Vallecano 0 - Barcelona 5
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La Liga ‎(LIGA)‎ 30-Apr-2012 Rayo Vallecano 0 - Barcelona 7
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La Liga ‎(LIGA)‎ 30-Nov-2011 Barcelona 4 - Rayo Vallecano 0
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Last Five Matches
Barcelona
20-May-2013Barcelona 2 - Valladolid 1LIGA
12-May-2013Atletico de Madrid 1 - Barcelona 2LIGA
06-May-2013Barcelona 4 - Betis 2LIGA
02-May-2013Barcelona 0 - Bayern 3UCL
27-Apr-2013Athletic Bilbao 2 - Barcelona 2LIGA
Rayo Vallecano
19-May-2013Levante 2 - Rayo Vallecano 3LIGA
12-May-2013Rayo Vallecano 0 - Valencia 4LIGA
05-May-2013Zaragoza 3 - Rayo Vallecano 0LIGA
27-Apr-2013Rayo Vallecano 2 - Osasuna 2LIGA
20-Apr-2013Mallorca 1 - Rayo Vallecano 1LIGA
Odds
Team News
Available Squads
13José Pinto ColoradoGoalkeeper
3PiquéDefender
18Jordi AlbaDefender
21AdrianoDefender
4Cesc FàbregasMidfielder
8Andrés Iniesta LujánMidfielder
14Javier MascheranoMidfielder
16BusquetsMidfielder
7David VillaStriker
9Alexis SánchezStriker
10Lionel MessiStriker
38OierGoalkeeper
2Daniel AlvesDefender
32BartraDefender
11Thiago AlcántaraMidfielder
25Alex SongMidfielder
17PedroStriker
37TelloStriker
25Rubén Martínez AndradeGoalkeeper
2TitoDefender
4Alejandro GálvezDefender
-ArbillaDefender
12Jordi FiguerasDefender
23Adrián GonzálezMidfielder
-José CarlosMidfielder
10PitiStriker
17TrashorrasMidfielder
-Alejandro DomínguezStriker
23Andrija DelibasicStriker
1CobeñoGoalkeeper
5Jordi AmatDefender
-Nacho MartínezDefender
-Franco VázquezMidfielder
-IsiMidfielder
9Raúl TamudoStriker
27LassStriker
Results
ALL MATCHES >>
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Lionel Messi Lionel Messi
Striker
Barcelona 		46 4
Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker
Real Madrid 		34 6
Radamel Falcao Radamel Falcao
Striker
Atlético de Madrid 		28 8
Roberto Soldado Roberto Soldado
Striker
Valencia 		21 5
Negredo Negredo
Striker
Sevilla 		20 3