Rayo Vallecano vs Barcelona prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-11-24 13:00.
Rayo Vallecano saw their longest unbeaten top-flight run (W2, D6) end in a 2-1 defeat against leaders Girona, failing to build on a fifth-minute opener. However, they have never lost fewer matches after 13 La Liga (LL) games (three) than this season, increasing the expectations that the Madrid outfit can extend their top-flight stay to a fourth straight campaign.
The arrival of Barcelona may strangely boost those hopes further, as Rayo are undefeated in four LL H2Hs (W3, D1), including consecutive wins at their Vallecas home. A chance to post three straight LL home victories against their esteemed opponents for the first time beckons, but recent form at the stadium could reduce expectations heading into this encounter as Francisco’s men have won just one such match this term (D3, L2), a run which has seen Los Franjirrojos concede at least twice on four occasions.
The international break ended awfully for Barcelona with news that key midfielder Gavi may not play again this season after picking up a serious knee injury while playing for Spain. That may have dampened spirits a little after the Catalans overcame AlavĂ©s 2-1 last time out – recovering from a first-minute deficit in the process to sit third in the table after 13 rounds. The turnaround continued the trend of late excitement, as the team’s last six LL win/loss results have all been by a single-goal margin, with the winner coming after the 75th minute each time.
A crucial UEFA Champions League top-of-the-table clash against Porto next Tuesday looms large, but Barça start this round third – four points behind surprise leaders Girona – and can’t risk losing further ground domestically. An unbeaten start in 2023/24 on their travels in LL (W3, D3) is on the line, but Xavi’s side will no doubt be wary of not conceding early, having gone behind inside ten minutes in two of their last three league trips.
Players to watch: Rayo’s Bebé has seen both his league goals arrive in second-half stoppage time this term as the former Manchester United attacker looks for his first personal H2H victory (L4). For the visitors, Robert Lewandowski could be looking to play late spoilsport after claiming a brace in Barcelona’s last win and netting their last H2H goal.
Hot stat: Barcelona have scored ten of their last 26 LL goals in the 80th minute or later.