Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano: La Liga preview, predictions, team news and TV info
Barcelona are seeking a fourth successive home victory over Rayo Vallecano without conceding. Since 2000, los Franjirrojos have lost 11 of 14 visits to Camp Nou, or wherever Barça have been playing, winning only once. All of these trends are expected to continue on Monday night.
Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano match info
Date: Monday 31 August 2026.
Kick off times: 9:30pm (local) and 3:30pm (ET)
Competition: La Liga matchday 3
Venue: Camp Nou - Catalonia, Spain
How to watch: ESPN+ (USA), Movistar+ & DAZN (Spain) and Premier Sports (UK).
How can I watch Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano?
| Country | Broacaster(s) |
|---|---|
| United States | ESPN+ |
| Spain | Movistar+ & DAZN |
| United Kingdom | Premier Sports 1 |
| Canada | TSN5 |
| Australia, New Zealand & Arab World | beIN SPORTS |
| Africa | SuperSport MáXimo |
| Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Portugal & Switzerland. | DAZN |
Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano match preview
Barcelona have been absolutely blistering to start the new La Liga season, so will that trend continue? On opening night, Hansi Flicks's side demolished Elche 5-0 at Estadio Martínez Valero, thanks to braces by Raphinha and Fermín López. Then, on Wednesday, Barça beat Athletic Club 2-0 at home, a match that was more comfortable than this scoreline might suggest.
The Blaugrana racked up 22 shots and four big chances, accumulating an enormous xG figure of 4.23, and they would have scored many, had it not been for eight saves by Unai Simón. Barcelona are seeking to win a third successive La Liga title under Flick, but this might be the best team he has overseen in Catalonia. However, at this early stage, it does look like they will have a worthy challenger.
Real Madrid also boast a perfect record three games into the campaign, scoring eight, most-recently demolishing Málaga 4-0 at the Bernabéu on Sunday afternoon. That, just a little bit, has increased the pressure on Barça to avoid slipping up in a rare Monday night fixture at Camp Nou.
As for Rayo Vallecano, they reached last season's UEFA Conference League Final, but have been a farcical football club since, well even more so than usual. They are currently unable to stage home matches at Vallecas, because the stadium has been deemed unsafe, while anyone at the ground is in danger of contracting Legionnaires' disease. No a sentance I ever thought I'd write in a Barça preview.
In short, unpopular owner Raúl Martín Presa wants to sell the land for housing development and move the club out of Madrid, which fans will not accept. Thus, the stadium, and training ground, have both been left to rot, a situation that has finally reached a breaking point.
Los Franjirrojos therefore played their home opener at Butarque, home of Leganés, last Thursday, drawing 1-1 with Alavés. In Beñat San José's first game in charge, Rayo had been beaten 2-1 by Sevilla on the road, while it is not yet known where they will face Racing Santander on Saturday. The shambles off the pitch is impacting Rayito on the pitch and in the dugout, meaning Barcelona should swat aside this severely weakened side.
Barcelona team news
After coming off the bench for a half an hour cameo on Wednesday, new signing Rodri is forecast to start in a Blaugrana shirt for the first time. Gavi suffered a knock at Elche, so Pedri came in for the win over Athletic, while the only other change Flick made was on the left wing; Anthony Gordon displacing fellow new recruit Karim Adeyemi.
Gabriel Jesus may be set to arrive from Arsenal, but his compatriot Raphinha has been excellent as the centre-forward so far, seeking to add to his three goals in two games. Alongside, Lamine Yamal has only ever scored once in six meetings with Rayo, so can he change that at Camp Nou?
Rayo Vallecano team news
Rayo have sold Nobel Mendy and Pep Chavarría to Premier League clubs for a combined €40 million, while Jozhua Vertrouwd is their only new recruit who has required a fee, joining from Castellón for just €1.5 million.
In goal, Dani Cárdenas is set to start, after Augusto Batalla fractured his right leg, requiring surgery, against Alavés on Thursday. Captain Isi Palazón is also sidelined, an enormous blow, suggesting Beñat San José's side are not poised to pull off an historic upset.
Predicted Line-ups
Barcelona predicted lineup: J García; E García, Cubarsí, Martín, Espart; Rodri, Pedri, Fermín; Lamine Yamal, Gordon, Raphinha.
Rayo Vallecano predicted lineup: Cárdenas; Rațiu, Ciss, Lejeune, Vertrouwd; López, Valentín, Nteka; de Frutos, Pérez, Camello.
Score prediction: Barcelona 4-0 Rayo Vallecano.
