Topics: Rayo Vallecano, Barcelona, Tomer Hemed, Lionel Messi, Real Madrid, La Liga
Barcelona conceded four goals in La Liga last weekend. This Saturday, they will be away to Rayo Vallecano – a side against which the Catalans netted a total of 11 goals last season.

Barcelona last hit Rayo Vallecano for 7 in La Liga earlier this year.Analysis

Rayo Vallecano are 12th in La Liga and it is their poor defence that has cost them that much. With 17 goals conceded like Athletic Bilbao, Rayo Vallecano are just behind Deportivo as the team with the worst defensive record in the Spanish Primera Division.

The 38-match road is tough for Saturday’s hosts who are so far doing just enough to stay clear from the relegation zone. Considering the strength of Barcelona, Rayo Vallecano have very little chance of securing a good result this weekend. They have lost four of their last five league matches. The only win in that torrid run came against Deportivo La Coruna (mentioned earlier on for their backline problems).

 

Rayo Vallecano can hardly find faith in themselves ahead of the match. They know very well how fierce the Catalans are on the offensive. The current generation of Barca has played Rayo twice; that was last season. In November 2011, they recorded a straightforward 4-0 win at the Camp Nou. The second leg of this La Liga fixture produced a total spectacle for travelling fans as Rayo Vallecano were battered 7-0. Six months have gone by since both sides last met but will the script be any different?

If it happens to be, it will give a huge psychological boost to Real Madrid who play on Sunday. As of now, there is still an eight-point gap between Barcelona and their bitter rivals from the Spanish capital.

However, fourth-placed Los Blancos are not the Blaugrana’s only rivals. This season, the other side of Madrid, Atletico, is putting a stiff contest at the top of the table. Inspired by the fury of Falcao, they share the summit with Barca. The latter only dominate thanks to a better goal difference.

Head-to-head – Last five meetings

January 20, 2002: Rayo Vallecano 2-1 Barcelona
December 7, 2002: Rayo Vallecano 1-0 Barcelona
May 4, 2003: Barcelona 3-0 Rayo Vallecano
November 29, 2011: Barcelona 4-0 Rayo Vallecano
April 29, 2012: Rayo Vallecano 0-7 Barcelona

Facts

• Barcelona have not conceded a single goal against Rayo Vallecano since losing 1-0 back in 2002.

• Barcelona (11) have allowed as many goals in La Liga as Rayo Vallecano have scored.

• Rayo Vallecano have not failed to score in any of their last three league games.

• Lionel Messi (11) has scored as many goals as the entire Rayo Vallecano team in La Liga this season.

Prediction

This game is very likely to be a walk in the park for Barcelona.

Result: Rayo Vallecano 0-4 Barcelona