Rayo Vallecano vs. Barcelona: Confirmed Lineups, Predicted Starting XI, Team News - Will Hansi Flick Make Changes for La Liga Clash?

Barcelona will be aiming for a perfect start to the new La Liga season as they take on Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday, August 27, in their quest for a third consecutive victory.

Hansi Flick has overseen back-to-back 2-1 victories against Valencia and Athletic Club in a promising start to life as head coach at Camp Nou, despite injury problems and the distractions of Barca's transfer manoeuvres as they attempt to fall within La Liga spending rules.

New signing Dani Olmo still has not played as the club have been unable to register him without the risk of breaching their salary cap, but the Euro 2024 star will hope to play at some point this week, even if the Rayo match comes too soon.

The Madrid club beat Real Sociedad on the opening day before playing out a less engaging 0-0 draw with neighbours Getafe, in which neither team managed a shot on target. Barca have failed to win on their previous three visits to Vallecas, though, so the hosts will go into this game in reasonably confident mood.

The Sporting News looks at the latest team news and predicted lineups for this game.

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Rayo boss Inigo Perez might be tempted to revert to the 4-4-2 setup that saw his side claim an impressive 2-1 win away to Real Sociedad on the opening day, although a 4-2-3-1 may offer more defensive protection.

Romania right-back Andrei Ratiu will hope to be fit after missing the draw with Getafe due to a minor injury, and there may be some rotation given the squad has had only two days to recover from that game. Isi Palazon, Alvaro Garcia Rivera, and Sergio Camello could come in.

Rayo Vallecano predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Cardenas (GK) — Ratiu, Lejeune, Mumin, Espino — Valentin, Unai Lopez — Embarba, Isi Palazon, Garcia Rivera — Camello

Injured: Andrei Ratiu (doubt)
Suspended: 

Barca's defence will almost certainly be unchanged given that Clement Lenglet has joined Atletico Madrid on loan and Eric Garcia may also move on before the transfer deadline.

Flick may be tempted to start Fermin Lopez, although that may depend on whether Dani Olmo can at last be registered with La Liga. Robert Lewandowski will likely keep his place after scoring three times in the first two games, although Ferran Torres could be used from the start to hand the Poland star a rest.

Barcelona predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Ter Stegen (GK)— Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde — Casado, Pedri — Lamine Yamal, Lopez, Torres — Lewandowski

Injured: Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Ansu Fati
Suspended: 
Unavailable: Dani Olmo (pending registration)

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