Reigning Spanish champions Barcelona are seven points clear at the top of La Liga and show no sign of relinquishing that lead any time soon. On Saturday evening, Ernesto Valverde’s side welcomes relegation-threatened Rayo Vallecano to the Nou Camp.
Barcelona heads into this game on the back of a three-game winning run in La Liga. Last time out, the home side recorded what could be a vital 1-0 victory at perennial rivals Real Madrid. The win at the Bernabeu saw the Catalan giants keep a third clean sheet in four league outings.
Not only have Barcelona won their last three league matches, but they are also unbeaten in 13 in La Liga, having recorded 11 victories.
The reigning champions have a strong recent home record in the Spanish top-flight, winning five of their last six league games at the Nou Camp. A key factor in that strong recent home record in La Liga is their attacking prowess, as Barcelona have scored at least two goals in eight of their last nine league outings on home soil.
The fact that Barcelona have beaten Rayo Vallecano by more than two goals in the last 12 league meetings does not bode well for an away win.
Rayo Vallecano are currently 19th in La Liga, two points adrift of safety after a terrible run of form in the Spanish top-flight.
A 2-0 home defeat against Girona in their last La Liga outing means that Rayo have lost their last five matches in the Spanish top-flight. The visitors have also conceded at least two goals in four of those five league defeats.
Rayo Vallecano have a poor recent away record in La Liga, losing seven of their last nine matches in the Spanish top-flight on their travels.
Forebet predicts that Barcelona will give Rayo Vallecano their now customary hammering at the Nou Camp to heap further misery on the visitors.