Vallecano vs Barcelona: Can Barcelona secure third place in this match?

Next weekend, the 2023-24 La Liga season continues with one of the most important matches, as Xavi's Barcelona take on Rayo Vallecano at the Estadio Vallecas.

Barcelona currently sit third in the La Liga table and have yet to reach their best form in the league this season. In fact, they managed to beat Deportivo Alaves 2-1 and will be looking to build on that performance in next weekend's match.

Rayo Vallecano sit tenth in the league table with mixed results. In addition, they narrowly lost 2-1 to Girona last week. The team only has one option at hand; they will have to show a lot of fight to regain their form in their next match.

Barcelona have started the season with almost perfect results except for recent stumbles with two losses in their last four matches. Despite the high spirits at the start in Catalonia, Real Madrid have beaten Barcelona twice in the domestic league and Shakhtar Donetsk have knocked Real Madrid out of the Champions League, leaving little hope for Barcelona.

Match Details:

This match will be played in Madrid, Spain at the Vallecas Stadium. It is scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 25, with kick-off at 13:00 GMT, 08:00 ET and 05:00 PT, and the referee and match official are to be confirmed.

Head-to-Head Stats:

Barcelona have been in good form recently in this fixture, with Rayo Vallecano winning just three of the seventeen meetings between the two sides. Interestingly, Rayo Vallecano have never lost in their last four league games against Barcelona, ​​although they have previously suffered thirteen consecutive La Liga defeats against Barcelona.

Interestingly, Barcelona have already lost their last two La Liga games at Rayo Vallecano. A third consecutive away defeat would be the first time ever. Furthermore, Barcelona have also been unstoppable in their last 17 consecutive away games against Madrid teams during the La Liga season. However, they have lost form and have now managed just two wins in their last 13 league games for Madrid.

Team News

However, Rayo Vallecano’s 35-year-old attacking midfielder Oscar Trejo was ruled out with a knee injury before the international break. He is not expected to be fully fit until after Christmas.

Alvaro Garcia, who scored in Rayo’s 2-1 win over Barcelona last season, is also out of action. He picks up his fifth yellow card, having picked up five in La Liga this season. But aside from that, Rayo coach Francisco Rodriguez has no further injury concerns.

Issy Palazon, who is currently Rayo’s second-highest scorer in the league with two goals behind Garcia’s four, will be one of the most important players when it comes to Rayo’s attack.

Gavi suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury playing for Spain during the international break. He will miss the rest of the season with the injury.

Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is another fitness concern. Back pain forced him to withdraw from Germany’s friendlies with Turkey and Austria. Should he not recover in time, Inaquin Pena could replace him. However, on the plus side, Pedri will be available for selection under Barcelona coach Xavi. In addition, Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong is expected to return for the next match. He did not play after Barcelona’s 3-2 win over Celta Vigo in September. Sergi Roberto has been struggling with a muscle strain in his leg, however, and will be out of the squad.