League leader Barcelona is set to visit Rayo Vallecano in their first match since the thumping 5-1 win over their arch-rivals Real Madrid last weekend.
The mood in the Barcelona dressing room is sure to be livened up more with reports of the early arrival of Argentine ace Lionel Messi back to the training camp.
Rayo Vallecano, on the other hand, will be looking for a point against the league leaders as they continue to struggle in the La Liga notching up just six points in their opening 10 matches and sitting at the 19th position on the table.
Rayo Vallecano v Barcelona: Kickoff information
Date: 3rd November 2018
Kickoff: 21:45 (local time),01:15 (IST)
Venue: Estadio del Rayo Vallecano, Puente de Vallecas
Livestream: Live on LaLiga Facebook Page
Rayo Vallecano v Barcelona: Team News
Argentine ace Lionel Messi has returned back to training but is less likely to be a part of the team while Samper, Umtiti and Vermaelen are all injured for the Blaugrana while Denis Suarez and Malcolm has been left out of the squad.
Gorka Elustondo and Tito will miss out this one for Vallecano with injury while De Tomas, Giannelli Imbula and Gael Kakuta are all set to return for the home side.
Rayo Vallecano v Barcelona: Probable Line-up
Rayo Vallecano: Garcia, Advincula, Galvez, Amat, Moreno, Imbula, Comesana, Trejo, Kakuta, De Tomas, Embarba
Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Alba, Pique, Lenglet, Roberto, Arthur, Busquets, Rakitic, Rafinha, Suarez, Coutinho
Rayo Vallecano v Barcelona: Form Guide
The last five competitive fixtures
Rayo Vallecano: D-L-D-L-L
Barcelona: W-W-W-W-D
Rayo Vallecano v Barcelona: Prediction
Barcelona is expected to steamroll past the hapless Vallecano defence. With the return to form of Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez and the inform Coutinho in the team, Barcelona is expected to score a lot of goals.
Prediction: Rayo Vallecano 0-4 Barcelona