Rayo Vallecano v Barcelona Betting Tips: Latest odds, team news, preview and predictions

Ernesto Valverde's side are the top scorers in La Liga and we think they will get among the goals against one the the division's leakiest defences

Saturday night sees Barcelona face an opponent against whom they boast an incredibly strong record.

The Catalans have won each of their last 11 games against Rayo Vallecano - scoring 50 goals in the process - and with the Madrid outfit languishing in 19th place after just one win all season, another success for the Balugrana is surely on the cards this weekend.

Latest odds

Barca are offered at just 2/7 (1.28) with bet365 to claim three points at the Estadio Vallecas, while Rayo can be backed at 17/2 (9.50) and the draw is priced at 5/1 (6.00).

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Team news

Barcelona rested their entire first eleven for their midweek Copa del Rey game at Cultural Leonesa, so the usual starters will come back into the side. Lionel Messi, Samuel Umtiti and Thomas Vermaelen are injured whilst Rafinha and Ousmane Dembele will both hope to replace Messi.

Rayo are still missing right-back Tito, while defensive midfielder Gorka Elustondo remains a doubt.

Preview

Rayo have played ten league matches this season and conceded 20 goals, the second-worst record in La Liga. Indeed, Michel's men have kept just one clean sheet this term and traditionally they ship plenty of goals whenever Barca visit.

Barca have scored a total of 23 times on this ground across their last five visits, and there is little suggest another mauling won't be on the cards.

The Blaugrana may be without Messi, but that did not stop them putting five goals past European champions Real Madrid last weekend and they should have few problems exposing a weak Rayo defence once more.

Tips and predictions

Barcelona are offered at 11/8 (2.37) to win a game with over 3.5 goals and this looks like a solid option.

Indeed, this bet has paid out in nine of the last ten meetings between the sides and offers serious value given the respective records of the sides this season.

Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.