The leaders journey to the capital for a brutal away take a look at trying to get one step nearer to the title
Rayo Vallecano (tenth, 40pts) vs FC Barcelona (1st, 76pts)
Competitors/Spherical: 2022-23 La Liga, Matchday 31
Barcelona Outs & Doubts: Sergio Busquets, Andreas Christensen, Ousmane Dembélé, Sergi Roberto (out)
Rayo Outs & Doubts: Radamel Falcao, Santi Comesaña (out)
Date/Time: Wednesday, April 26, 2023, 10pm CET (Barcelona), 9pm BST/WAT (UK & Nigeria), 4pm ET, 1pm PT (USA), 1.30am IST (India, Thursday)
Venue: Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas, Madrid, Spain
Referee: Jesús Gil Manzano
VAR: José Luis González González
How one can watch on TV: ESPN Deportes (USA), TSN 3 (Canada), Viaplay Sports activities 1 (UK), SuperSport (Nigeria), Sports18 (India), Not Obtainable (Spain), others
How one can watch on-line: ESPN+ (USA), LaLigaTV (UK), DAZN (Spain), others
Following a hard-fought, essential win over Atlético Madrid on the weekend, Barcelona return to motion on Wednesday with a visit to the Spanish capital for a La Liga conflict in opposition to Rayo Vallecano on the Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas.
Barça come into this one after a much-needed victory and, extra importantly, a wonderful efficiency in opposition to an excellent group that examined them and gave them an actual scare ultimately. Ending was an issue, however the likelihood creation and high quality of group play was encouraging after weeks of horrible attacking soccer and apathetic performances.
The return of Frenkie De Jong and Pedri from harm helped enhance the extent of play, and the group can be very near full energy when Andreas Christensen and Ousmane Dembélé return on the weekend. Barça are wholesome once more and will clinch the title with time to spare in the event that they proceed to play effectively, end their possibilities and get extra wins on the board.
And due to Actual Madrid’s loss to Tati Castellanos and Girona on Tuesday, the Blaugrana can enhance their lead on the high of the desk to 14 factors with seven matches to go, successfully ending the title race and beginning the countdown to the official celebration of their first league trophy in 4 years.
However getting all three factors in opposition to Wednesday’s opponents isn't any straightforward feat. Informal viewers of La Liga would possibly have a look at Rayo’s place within the desk and the very fact they’ve gained solely one in all their final 10 within the league and assume this ought to be straightforward work for the should-be champs. Nevertheless it’s something however that: Rayo have been Barça’s bogey aspect for years, and at all times play rather well in opposition to the Catalans with a gameplan based mostly on depth, excessive urgent and brave attacking play.
Their latest run of type has nearly eradicated them from European competition after wanting like a lock for the Europa League locations lower than two months in the past, however a run of unhealthy luck and accidents has derailed what ought to have been a fantastic season for one of the crucial underrated groups within the High 5 leagues. They're legitimately good, and at all times deliver their A-game when going through Barça.
However they're lacking two key items in defensive midfield anchor Santi Comesaña and striker Radamel Falcão, and Comesaña’s absence is very essential given how effectively he’s performed in opposition to the likes of Pedri and De Jong in previous conferences.
Barça are favorites, no query, however they will’t take this Rayo group as a right. It’ll be an actual battle, however a win will just about seal the deal in relation to the title race. If we additionally see a fantastic efficiency from the group, then this can just about be a dream couple of days.
Let’s dance.
POSSIBLE LINEUPS
Barcelona (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Eric, Balde; Gavi, De Jong, Pedri; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Ferran
Rayo (4-2-3-1): Dimitrievski; Balliu, Lejeune, Catena, García; Valentín, Ciss; Isi, Trejo, Álvaro; Camello
PREDICTION
Rayo is at all times a brutal take a look at, however that is the perfect time to face them with out two key gamers and in the course of a nasty run of type. They are going to be intense and difficult, however Barça have greater than sufficient to get the win: 2-0 to the great guys.
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