Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano: prediction for the La Liga fixture

Barcelona got off to an unsuccessful start in the Champions League, which led the team into the Europa League playoffs. Catalan club advanced past two first play-off rounds, beating Napoli (5:3 on aggregate) and Galatasaray (2:1).

In the quarter-final of the secondary European tournament Xavi's men were eliminated by Eintracht - match in Frankfurt ended on level terms, but German club beat the Blaugrana at Camp Nou. 

After 32 rounds of La Liga Barca have 18 victories and nine draws, delivering 63 points and a 2nd spot in the standings. Team is 15 points adrift from the leader, so it will be nearly impossible to catch up to Real. After a defeat to Cadiz (0:1) hosts managed to beat Real Sociedad (1:0). 

Umtiti, Alves, Fati, Roberto, Pedri and Araujo won't feature in the upcoming match. 

Rayo Vallecano got off to a perfect start in the current La Liga season, team returned to the top-flight division from Segunda. A great performance in the first half of the season helped the club to stay clear of relegation battle. 

Team also put up a decent performance in the Spanish Cup, where the Vallecans easily advanced past first rounds, beating Gijuelo (2:1, pens), Bergantinos (3:1), Mirandes (1:0) and Girona (2:1). 

However, club was unable to beat Betis in the semi-final of that competition. After 32 rounds of La Liga Madrid team has 10 victories and seven draws, delivering 37 points and a 14th spot in the standings. In the previous round the Red Sashes have recorded an away victory over Espanyol (1:0). 

Merquelanz and Saveljic will miss the upcoming match.