Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano: How to watch on TV live stream, kick-off time, team news & predictions
Barcelona begin the new La Liga season with a visit from Rayo Vallecano on Saturday evening.
The Catalans have dominated the summer transfer window with their creative - and painfully short-term - accounting but attention will finally return to the pitch once again, though it's uncertain which of their new recruits will feature.
Rayo Vallecano recorded their best league finish in half a decade last season. They haven't spent a penny in the off-season to consolidate their 12th-place position, instead focussing on the free agent and loan market.
Here's everything you need to know about the meeting between Spain's biggest and thriftiest spenders.
Where are Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano playing?
- Location: Barcelona, Spain
- Stadium: Spotify Camp Nou
- Kick-off Time: 20:00 BST / 15:00 EST / 12:00 PST
- VAR: TBC
- Referee: TBC
Where can you watch Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano in the UK?
Channel: Premier Sports 1
Channel: LaLigaTV
Streaming Service: Premier Player
Broadcast Time: 20:00 (BST)
Where can you watch Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano in the United States?
Streaming Service: ESPN+
Broadcast Time EST: 15:00
Broadcast Time PST: 12:00
Where can you watch Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano in Canada?
Channel: TSN
Streaming Service: TSN App
Broadcast Time (EST): 15:00
Where can you watch Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano highlights?
Channel: Premier Sports
Stream: La Liga YouTube channel
H2H Results (Last Five Games)
Barcelona: 3 Wins
Rayo Vallecano: 2 Wins
Draws: 0
Current Form (Last Five Games)
Barcelona: WWDWW
Rayo Vallecano: WDWDD
Barcelona team news
By whatever means available to them, Barcelona have acquired the services of Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Jules Kounde, Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen this summer. Only Kounde remains unavailable for this one, with all others finally registered. Ousmane Dembele and Sergi Roberto have also had their contract renewals registered with la Liga.
Aside from the legal complexities, Ferran Torres has been nursing a foot injury since the start of July.
Barcelona predicted lineup vs Rayo Vallecano
Barcelona Starting 11: Ter Stegen; Dest, Araujo, Pique, Alba; Gavi, Busquets, Pedri; Fati, Aubameyang, Depay
Bench: Pena, Collado, Garcia, Gonzalez, De Jong, Ezzalzouli, Torre, Tenas, Pjanic
Rayo Vallecano team news
Andoni Iraola has a fully fit squad to choose from as he comes up against his bogey side. During a 12-year playing career with the Basque giants Athletic Club, Iraola reached the Copa del Rey final on three separate occasions. Each time, Barcelona denied the defender a trophy.
Rayo Vallecano predicted lineup vs Barcelona
Rayo Vallecano Starting 11: Lopez; Balliu, Catena, Lejeune, Garcia; Lopez, Valentin; Sanchez, Trejo, Pozo; Camello
Bench: Dimitrievski, Suarez, Isi, Nteka, Bebe, Alvaro, Ciss, Munoz, Falcao
Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano score prediction
If Barcelona's new signings can't be registered in time, Xavi is left with the same squad which was beaten home and away by Rayo last season. However, both of those 1-0 defeats owed plenty to some abysmal finishing Barcelona would be unfortunate to endure again.
Rayo may not be quite as sharp in front of goal themselves after replacing last season's departed top scorer, Sergi Guardiola, with the untested Sergio Camello. The Atletico Madrid loanee has impressed in the second tier but can boast just 67 minutes of La Liga football in his career.
While Rayo certainly have the propensity to frustrate an unsettled Barcelona side, the odds aren't in their favour to repeat last season's upset.
Prediction: Barcelona 2-1 Rayo Vallecano
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