Rayo Vallecano v Barcelona

Rayo Vallecano vs Barcelona Preview

Rayo Vallecano's stubborn looking eight-match unbeaten run in the Spanish top flight was finally brought to an end by the surprise package of the La Liga campaign to date, Girona, being handed a 2-1 defeat home by the current league leaders, while third placed Barcelona will be seeking to collect a third league win on the trot at Saturday lunchtime.

Despite putting together that eight-match unbeaten run, Rayo Vallecano still remain sitting in a mid-table position of 10th place as the hosts had been involved in numerous stalemates (no fewer than six draws in fact), but they had also secured wins against Alaves and Las Palmas as well.

Indeed, the draw has featured prominently in Rayo Vallecano's results overall so far in this season's La Liga campaign but the hosts have managed to capture just one win on home soil at their Estadio de Vallecas to date which could make for tough going against visitors, Barcelona, on Saturday.

The 2-0 win against Alaves have been overshadowed by a 7-0 thumping at the hands of Real Madrid and the aforementioned 2-1 defeat to Girona so Francisco's side look to have their work cut out in this upcoming fixture.

Barcelona headed into the international break perhaps wishing it could have been delayed as the visitors registered recent back-to-back wins against Real Sociedad and Alaves respectively while the bigger picture shows Xavi's side have stumbled to just the single defeat in their opening 13 league games of this season.

That loss came in the form of a massive disappointment, slipping to a 2-1 defeat at home to arch-rivals, Real Madrid, but nevertheless, Barca have otherwise remained on course for a serious tilt at this season's La Liga league title as the visitors have also picked up nine wins within their opening 13 league games.

Along with surprise-package, Girona, Barcelona also still remain unbeaten on their travels this term as they have collected three wins and three draws so far, including victories achieved on the road at Villarreal, Osasuna and most impressive of all, a 1-0 win at sixth placed Real Sociedad.

The wider picture shows Barcelona have been dealt just four defeats out of their last 20 outings on the road, one of which was a 2-1 loss at Rayo Vallecano back in April of last season but the visitors are expected to turn the tables on their hosts in this upcoming lunchtime encounter.

Rayo Vallecano v Barcelona Verdict

Rayo Vallecano have actually held the upper hand over Barcelona in previous exchanges as Francisco's side have won three of the last four meetings but this upcoming fixture may unfold in a very different way as Barcelona bring some winning momentum into this clash and will be keen for revenge.

Therefore, our main bet will be Barcelona win @ 1.65

Other side bets worth considering:

Barcelona win & Over 2.5 goals @ 2.40

Correct Score: Barcelona 3-1 @ 13.00