Barcelona expected to launch La Liga campaign with statement victory over Rayo Vallecano

FC Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano - 13/08/2022

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The 2022/23 La Liga season gets underway this weekend. On Saturday night, title hopefuls Barcelona welcome Rayo Vallecano to Camp Nou.

Although Barca finished as runners-up last term, it is worth noting that Real Madrid ended the campaign 13 points clear of their bitter rivals.

Meanwhile, Rayo Vallecano finished twelfth – 31 points behind Barcelona and four points clear of the relegation zone.

Barcelona lost just seven of their 38 league encounters last season, picking up 21 wins and ten draws along the way.

Despite starting the previous campaign in poor form, they ended the season on a high note – winning 11 of their final 15 games.

When you look at the bigger picture, Barca have only lost three of their previous 23 La Liga outings. Needless to say, they will be eager to pick up where they left off last term.

The Catalans have made a number of high-profile signings this summer, including Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Jules Kounde, Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen.

Yet, due to the persistent off-field issues at the club, it is difficult to predict what will happen at Camp Nou this season.

On the flip side, Rayo Vallecano lost 18 of their 38 La Liga games in 2021/22 – picking up 11 wins and nine draws in the process.

Only three teams suffered more La Liga defeats that Rayo Vallecano last term, while only five sides scored fewer goals than their 39.

Rayo Vallecano endured a dismal ended to the previous campaign, winning just two of their final 20 league outings.

Trends show that over 2.5 goals were scored in each of Rayo Vallecano’s last three games, meaning we could see a high-scoring encounter on Saturday.

Head-to-head: Believe it or not, Rayo Vallecano did the league double over Barcelona last season – winning 1-0 home and away.

Still, it is worth remembering that Barca have won 15 of the previous 21 meetings between the teams across all competitions.

Team news: Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Jules Kounde, Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen will all be hoping to make their competitive debuts for Barcelona on Saturday.

Unai Lopez, Diego Lopez, Salvi Sanchez, Florian Lejeune and Sergio Camello are in line to make their competitive debuts for Rayo Vallecano.

Given the 31-point gulf between these two sides last season, Barca are expected to cruise to a comfortable victory this weekend.

Forebet predicts that Barcelona will score over 2.5 goals and keep a clean sheet on their way dispatching Rayo Vallecano.

Home team
Away team

Probability %

1X2

Pred

Correct score

Avg. goals

Weather conditions

Coef.

Score

Live
coef.

Es1

FC Barcelona Rayo Vallecano 13/08/2022 21:00

671419

1

3 - 0

3.32

30°

1.20

1.20 6.50 12.00 no no no

FT

0 - 0(0 - 0)

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