FC Barcelona – Rayo Vallecano: Barca look to kill the suspense 
FC Barcelona, rock-solid at the top of LaLiga, want to cement their grip on first place, while Rayo Vallecano (13th) are clawing for points to pull clear of the relegation scrap.
The Catalan machine is crushing everything in its path 
They’re in a purple patch in Catalonia. Hansi Flick’s side are unstoppable — they thrashed Newcastle 7-2 in the Champions League, the English defence torn to pieces. In the league they’re just as deadly, already on 77 goals this season.
Four points up on Real Madrid (who face Atlético that night), Barca can stretch the lead to seven and heap serious pressure on their city rivals. No sulking like in the first meeting, when they drew 1-1 — the aim is a fifth straight LaLiga win and to finish this off early.
Rayo have nothing to lose 
Meanwhile, the Madrid outskirts club have had a wild week. They reached the Conference League quarter-finals despite a surprise home slip against Samsunspor on Thursday (1-0), and Inigo Perez’s men are solid domestically with a six-game unbeaten run.
Six points clear of the drop, Rayo know they’ll have to roll their sleeves up and soak up pressure against Barca’s attacking onslaught. They won’t come as lambs to the slaughter — they haven’t forgotten that shock 1-0 win at Camp Nou in April 2022. Repeating that heist would be a miracle, but Rayo are scrappy and stubborn.
Likely lineups
FC Barcelona : J Garcia ; Cancelo, Cubarsi, E Garcia, Martin ; Bernal, Pedri ; Yamal, Fermin, Raphinha ; Lewandowski
Rayo Vallecano : Batalla ; Ratiu, Balliu, Lejeune, Pacha ; Gumbau, Ciss ; De Frutos, Diaz, A Garcia ; Alemao
Football Prediction FC Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano
Barca to win by two goals
Rayo have shown resilience recently and will try to hang on, but Sunday looks way out of their depth.
Hansi Flick’s Barca are an offensive war machine riding ridiculous form. Backed by their crowd and desperate to land a killer blow before Madrid’s derby, they won’t be generous. Expect a comfortable home win — Barca will control the game and win by at least a two-goal margin.
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