Within the prime half of La Liga, solely RCD Mallorca gained over the weekend, opening up a golden alternative for Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano to achieve floor on their rivals. The Blaugrana may go prime at Montjuic within the 21:00 CEST kick-off, whereas Rayo may draw inside three factors of Villarreal in fifth spot.
There’s little signal of rotation coming for both aspect, with Hansi Flick recalling Ansu Fati to the squad, however anticipated to ship out his strongest line-up he believes he has obtainable. Sport say that features Robert Lewandowski, Gavi and Frenkie de Jong, the 2 latter set to get the nod over Dani Olmo and Marc Casado notably. Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Marc Bernal and Andreas Chrsitensen stay out injured.
It additionally means a spot on the bench for Ronald Araujo, with MD additionally agreeing on the line-up. There’s additionally consensus on the Rayo setup, with Inigo Perez lacking Sergio Camello, Raul de Tomas and Unai Lopez by means of harm.
Meaning Pedro Diaz is more likely to get the nod in midfield alongside Pathe Ciss, and Randy Nteka will play the goal man up entrance. Isi Palazon would be the launchpad for the Rayo assaults utilising the tempo of Alvaro Garcia, Jorge de Frutos and Andrei Ratiu out large.
#FCBarcelona face off in opposition to #RayoVallecano tonight, with each side hoping to be simply the second within the prime half of La Liga to win this spherical.
Ansu Fati is again within the squad for Hansi Flick, with a robust line-up anticipated. Tempo and width for Inigo Perez – Diaz in midfield.(MD) pic.twitter.com/my6f8MdqAd
— Soccer España (@footballespana_) February 17, 2025
Barcelona have struggled at residence this season, significantly with decrease blocks, and Perez’s aspect have been a troublesome nut to crack. Solely Dani Olmo’s debut affect gained the sport again in August in Vallecas, and Rayo have the sixth-best defence in La Liga, forward of Barcelona. Within the lead-up to the sport, Perez praised Barcelona’s work-rate, whereas Hansi Flick additionally famous how happy he was with their mentality.
Perez’s staff are at present on a nine-game unbeaten run although, their greatest ever in La Liga, and have attracts in opposition to Actual Madrid and Atletico Madrid to their identify already, albeit in Vallecas.