Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the La Liga meeting between Rayo Vallecano and Barcelona. Barca head into this match on the back of a resounding 5-1 victory over El Clasico rivals Real Madrid in their most recent league outing - a win that lifted the weight off boss Ernesto Valverde's shoulders and led to the sacking of opposite number Julen Lopetegui.

Rayo have made a poor start on their return to the Spanish top flight, meanwhile, finding themselves in he relegation zone ahead of this daunting visit of the champions. The hosts find themselves three points adrift of safety with more than a quarter of the season played, and they are desperately in need of a morale-boosting victory. Will that come today against the division's best side?

BARCELONA TEAM NEWS!

STARTING XI: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Arthur; Rafinha, Suarez, Coutinho

SUBS: Cillessen, Semedo, Chumi, Vidal, Alena, Munir, Dembele

There are no surprises as far as the visitors' starting lineup goes, as Ernesto Valverde goes with the same XI that cruised to victory against Real Madrid last week. Lionel Messi and Samuel Umtiti, key men at either end of the field, have returned to training this week but are still not ready for a return to first-team action. In the absence of star man Messi, Valverde sticks with Rafinha on the right of his front three.

Sergio Roberto is preferred to Nelson Semedo at left-back, while Clement Lenglet continues his run in the side at centre-back in the absence of injured duo Umtiti and Thomas Vermaelen. Arthur has settled into his new surroundings very well and is now a regular fixture in the centre of midfield, as are Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic. Two of the front three are also regulars, with Rafinha joining Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suarez up top.

Suarez, incidentally, has been involved in four goals in his previous three meetings with Rayo in La Liga, scoring three and setting up another. There was never any chance of the Uruguayan striker being rested tonight during this busy run of fixtures, despite the likes of Ousmane Dembele and Malcom - the latter of whom does not make the squad at all tonight - pushing for a recall.

RAYO VALLECANO TEAM NEWS!

STARTING XI: Garcia; Advincula, Galvez, Amat, Moreno; Comesana; Embarba, Imbula, Trejo, Pozo; De Tomas

SUBS: Dimitrievskki, Ba, Velazquez, Bebe, Pozo, Kakuta, Alegria

Home boss Michel has decided to change formation for this visit of Barcelona, going what appears to be a 4-5-1 of sorts that will be spearheaded by Raul de Tomas. The Spanish forward, who is on loan with Los Franjirrojos from Real Madrid, has three goals in eight outings this term - not the worst return considering he plays for a side sitting 19th out of 20th in the La Liga standings.

Gael Kakuta and Adrian Embarba have been used heavily this season, too, with the latter chipping in with a solitary goal in his 10 appearances, but Kakuta is only included among the subs tonight as defence trumps attack. Gorka Elustondo has been struggling with an injury and misses out again today, so Santi Comesana continues in the centre of midfield despite also carrying a knock. It could be a busy evening for him up against Arthur and Rakitic.

There is also a start for Alex Galvez alongside Jordi Amat in the heart of the back four, while Alex Moreno and Luis Advincula are used at full-back. There are some talented players in this Vallecano side, with Gianni Imbula included in midfield, but it has just not happened for them so far this season and this looks as though it will be another difficult evening.

Ernesto Valverde sticks with the same XI that helped see off Real Madrid 5-1 last weekend, meaning another start in attack for Rafinha. Lionel Messi is absent from the matchday squad once again tonight, despite returning to training earlier in the week, while Samuel Umtiti is still unable to make his long-awaited return to first-team action.

© Reuters

PREVIOUS MEETINGS! Rayo have only won four of their previous 34 La Liga encounters with Barcelona, losing 22 of those, and all three of their victories came with current boss Michel in their playing ranks. Barca have won each of the last 11 meetings, meanwhile - only against Malaga and Real Valladolid (12 each) have they won more often in a row.

Barcelona have also won on their last five visits to this ground, keeping a clean sheet in four of those, with their most recent loss coming in December 2002 when going down 1-0. It is fair to say that Rayo have their work cut out halting that run tonight, as they are 19th in the table and three points adrift of safety with a little over a quarter of the season played. Michel needs to turn things around, and quickly.

Rayo have won just one of their first 10 matches - a 1-0 victory at Huesca in mid-September through Giannelli Imbula's goal - losing six and drawing three either side of that to find themselves in real trouble. A 2-1 loss at Girona last weekend leaves them three points adrift of safety and at risk of being cut off, as 17th-placed Villarreal play host to Levante tomorrow afternoon.

The loss to Girona also makes it one point from the last 12 on offer for Rayo, and three from 21 since beating Huesca a couple of months ago. Los Franjirrojos did draw 2-2 away at Leganes on Tuesday in the Copa del Rey, but even that cannot be considered a good result as they led by two goals with a quarter of the match played. Rayo will fancy picking up a positive result in the second leg of that last-32 tie in four weeks' time.

La Liga survival is the priority for Michel, however, having guided his side into the top flight of Spanish football as winners of the Segunda division last season. Rayo have back-to-back home games over the next week, with this visit of Barcelona being followed up by a meeting with 17th-placed Villarreal - what a huge match that is shaping up to be, even if we are less than three months into the season.

Rayo also play Valencia and Eibar, both of whom are in the lower reaches of the division, so if they can take an unlikely point against Barcelona things will start to look a lot more positive heading into a crucial run of fixtures. The problem for Vallecano is that they have not won any of their five home matches so far, losing three and drawing two of those, which is their longest ever wait for a win at the start of a top-flight season.

Michel's men have conceded 14 league goals at home, which is more than any other side in Europe's top five leagues, going a long way to explaining why they have been so disappointing at this ground. As touched upon a little earlier, meanwhile, this is not exactly a fixture that Vallecano tend to do well in - only four wins in 34 attempts - and they have had three players sent off in their last four showdowns with Barca.

Barcelona may have hit a bad patch of form last month, leading to questions over boss Ernesto Valverde's job, but they have since managed to get back on track. That has not been the case for opponents Rayo Vallecano, as they have won just once in their opening 10 matches - a 1-0 win at Huesca in the middle of September - to find themselves in the bottom three and three points adrift of safety.

© Reuters

Barca head into this match sitting top of the pile in La Liga, which was not meant to be the case. Atletico Madrid were much fancied to overtake the Catalan giants when they headed to Leganes earlier today, only to be held to a 1-1 draw at the Estadio Municipal de Butarque. Real Madrid beat Real Valladolid 2-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu through a couple of late goals in the afternoon kickoff, meanwhile, and Girona are leading Valencia elsewhere this evening.

Barca therefore hold a one-point advantage of Atletico with this winnable game in hand to play, while Alaves, Sevillam Espanyol and Real Madrid are all within four points. It is very congested at the top of the La Liga table, but victory for Valverde's men here will give them a bit of breathing space. It was not so long ago, remember, that Valverde's job was under pressure following a poor run of results.

Four wins in a row in all competitions has lifted the weight off Valverde's shoulders, with the 5-1 thumping of Real Madrid last weekend particularly sweet. Barca had drawn 2-2 with Girona, 1-1 with Athletic Bilbao, 1-1 with Valencia and lost 2-1 Leganes in quick succession, but they have recovered well with wins over Sevilla and Real Madrid in La Liga, Cultural Leonesa in the Copa del Rey and Tottenham Hotspur and Inter Milan in the Champions League.

It required a late goal from Clement Lenglet to edge past Leonesa in midweek, as Barca dug deep to avoid a shock result - even if it was just the first leg and Valverde had heavily rotated. That goal from Lenglet also ensured that Barcelona's momentum continues into this trip to Vallecas which, all going to plan, will lead to three more points being put on the board. Valverde can finally breathe a little more easily.

Barca are as good as through in their Champions League group thanks to wins over PSV Eindhoven, Tottenham and Inter, but Valverde will still likely field his strongest XI at San Siro on Tuesday night just to make certain of a place in the last 16. Focus can then switch to La Liga, as the Catalan giants follow up this trip to Vallecas with games against Real Betis and then closest challengers Atletico Madrid before the month is over.

DID YOU KNOW? Barcelona have lost to Leganes and drawn with Valencia in their last two La Liga away games - not since May 2011 have they gone three or more without victory on their travels, which Valverde will be keen to avoid tonight. The Catalans have had 80 shots on target in the league this term, which is bettered only by Manchester City (81) in Europe's top five divisions.

Of those 80 shots Barca have attempted, 28 have ended in the back of the net. Only Sevilla boast a better attacking record in the Spanish top flight, but the man who has been responsible for seven of those - Lionel Messi - is of course absence tonight. Not to worry - Luis Suarez has found his shooting boots of late, bagging a hat-trick in the 5-1 thumping of Real Madrid last week - and both Philippe Coutinho and Rafinha have also registered over the last fortnight.

Valverde's charges have conceded 12 goals, however, which is only the ninth-best return in the division. Real Betis, Alaves, Getafe and Espanyol, among others, have also shipped fewer goals than the champions across the opening 10 matches, though you would expect that record to improve once Samuel Umtiti returns in the coming weeks. It is that shaky defensive record that gives Vallecano just a little hope of salvaging something tonight.

MANAGERS' COMMENTS!

Michel: "I change everything if Messi does not play. It would increase the problem and the problem would be different. I do not understand that the Barca game is for me a free game but I am worried because I am a Rayista. At the start of the game we have 50% chance to beat Barca, 90% of Spaniards think we're going to lose, the other 10% are Vallecas and that's what we're going to get."

Ernesto Valverde: "It has been difficult lately, playing against Sevilla and Real Madrid, with Inter in the middle. We have taken a big step forward but what we can't do is stop to think about our opponents. The three points that are on offer in Vallecas are the same amount as you get for beating Madrid. Our previous defeat against Leganes can be a message for us, without a doubt. The fact that we lost that game gives us a lesson to learn from and we will do that."

Home boss Michel admitted before the match that 'everything changes' if Lionel Messi missed out on selection tonight, which he did. The 43-year-old, who was on the field on the only three previous occasions that Rayo have defeated Barcelona in La Liga, also denied that this is a 'free hit' for his side, as Los Franjirrojos are in the bottom three and are in desperate need of just a second win of the campaign.

Opposite number Valverde confessed on the eve of the game that "it has been difficult" preparing his side for fixtures against Sevilla, Inter Milan and Real Madrid in quick succession, with each of those matches - and the midweek Copa del Rey clash with Cultural Leonesa - all ending in victory. Barca have turned a corner in recent weeks and now look as though they are ready to pull away at the top.

© Reuters

KICKOFF:  La Liga strugglers Rayo Vallecano get us up and running in Vallecas. Reigning champions Barcelona can stretch their lead at the summit to four points should they make it five wins on the spin in all competitions tonight.

Barca are dominating possession in the early stages here, as you would expect, but they have been unable to find a way through so far. The visitors must remain patient and the goals will surely arrive.

I mentioned that Michel had heavily rotated tonight - well it is eight changes in all from their midweek cup tie. Sergio Busquets with a rare stray pass in the centre of midfield, but the home side are unable to capitalise.

The free kick may be all of 35 yards from goal, but Luis Suarez was never going to pass up the opportunity to shoot. The Uruguayan, thriving in the absence of Lionel Messi, lifts the ball up and over the wall but wide of the target.

Barcelona with just the 75% possession so far in Vallecas! All very patient so far, but the longer it remains like this the more frustrated the visitors will get. I do have to stress, though, that there are still another 81 minutes to go...

GOAL!  RAYO VALLECANO 0-1 BARCELONA (LUIS SUAREZ)

As simple as you like from Barcelona's perspective, as they open the lead inside the opening 11 minutes. Jordi Alba brought Ivan Rakitic's long ball under control and, after what felt like an eternity, picked out Luis Suarez for a simple finish from five yards.

If Rayo's tactic was to sit back and soak up the pressure, they may now need a rethink. It is effectively a 4-5-1 formation for the hosts tonight, or 4-1-4-1 when attacking, and at the moment they are being pushed right back in their own half.

Embarba catches the ankle Lenglet to concede a free kick. Had the Rayo attacker kept his head a little better there he could have been in. A small warning for Barcelona there that the points are not in the bag just yet.

All a little too easy for Barcelona so far in Vallecas. This is a different test to the ones they have faced in recent weeks, having taken on Sevilla, Inter Milan and Real Madrid, and at the moment they are looking good value to wrap up the points comfortably.

Much better from Rayo over the past couple of minutes, as they finally come out of their shell and get at their opponents. A corner is won and collected by Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who was unhappy with a challenge on him when gathering the ball.

A quarter of the match played and it is so far, so good as far as Barcelona are concerned. Rayo have actually responded well to going behind, though, as they have stopped sitting back so much over the last four or five minutes.

Just the one chance for Barcelona so far, leading to the game's only goal. Call it efficient if you like, but for a side now boasting the most shots of any side in Europe's top leagues, more was expected from them in the final third.

Barcelona's possession count is now past the 70%, but they are not really doing a great deal with it. Valverde would like a second goal before the interval, but at the moment his side's play is not penetrative enough.

The run of no away wins will be coming to an end this evening, as things stand. Rayo Vallecano need to offer far more if they are to find a leveller.

0 - Barcelona have not won any of their last two La Liga away games (D1 L1), the last time they went three such matches without a win was back in May 2011 (five). Defiance. pic.twitter.com/zBm4szsG1r — OptaJose (@OptaJose) November 3, 2018

To give Rayo credit, they are making life very tough for Barca in the final third. The visitors have created just one opportunity all night, though that did lead to their breakthrough goal. An hour left to play here.

CHANCE!  Rayo, who barely ventured forward in the opening half an hour, should be on level terms. The hosts get in behind and the ball is pulled back for Jose Pozo, who slides the ball wide of a half-empty goal from six yards out. He had plenty of the net to aim for but could not convert.

When Luis Suarez converted 11 minutes into the match it looked as though it was going to be a long night for Rayo, but they have contained their opponents and created a big chance for Jose Pozo a few moments ago, which really should have ended with the net bulging.

GOAL!  RAYO VALLECANO 1-1 BARCELONA (JOSE POZO)

The attacking midfielder was guilty of missing a huge chance a few minutes ago, but Jose Pozo has more than made amends with this effort. Pozo, previously on Manchester City's books, fired in a shot from 22 yards and found the goal via the post.

Talk about a shift in momentum! Barcelona looked so comfortable for 30 minutes of the match, but Rayo decided to have a go and they have been rewarded through that brilliant Jose Pozo shot. The midfielder wasn't even named in the initial starting lineup!

With less than five minutes of the half to go, Barca have still managed just that one Luis Suarez shot on target. Pretty incredible considering that they have mustered 80 shots in La Liga this term. Credit to Rayo for making life tough for their opponents.

OFF THE POST!  This is almost a world-class goal from Luis Suarez, who caught out Alberto Garcia by taking on the shot first time. A quick exchange of passes on the edge of the box, before the striker curled a shot against the post from 20 yards - so unlucky.

The home fans are generating a brilliant atmosphere inside this three-sided ground. They are loving the performance of their players in this first half, especially over the last 15 minutes as they have been on top.

HALF TIME:  RAYO VALLECANO 1-1 BARCELONA

Rayo Vallecano, in the bottom three of La Liga ahead of this game, are on level terms with leaders Barcelona at the halfway point. Luis Suarez put the visitors ahead early on, but the hosts responded well and levelled up through Jose Pozo 36 minutes in.

Barcelona have won on each of their last five visits to this ground, keeping a clean sheet in four of those, and it took just 11 minutes for them to edge in front on this latest trip. Picking up from where he left off against Real Madrid last weekend, when netting a hat-trick to give Barca lift-off in La Liga, Luis Suarez had the simply task of converting from five yards after being picked out by Jordi Alba.

Barca took complete control of the match for the next 20 minutes, boasting close to 75% possession at one point, but despite firing in 80 shots in the league this term - a tally only bettered by Manchester City in Europe's top five leagues - they struggled to create any sort of shooting opportunity during that spell on top. Instead, Rayo started to have more of a go and should have been on level terms half an hour in, only for Jose Pozo to tuck the ball wide of the half-empty net at the end of a Raul de Tomas delivery.

Pozo, a late addition to the starting lineup, more than made amends for that miss two minutes later, however, by sending a delightful shot in off the post from 22 yards. Despite being far from their best, Barcelona nearly regained their lead at the end of the first half through a first-time Suarez shot that caught out Alberto Garcia but hit the post.

BENCH WATCH!

RAYO VALLECANO SUBS: Dimitrievskki, Ba, Velazquez, Bebe, Pozo, Kakuta, Alegria

BARCELONA SUBS: Cillessen, Semedo, Chumi, Vidal, Alena, Munir, Dembele

© Reuters

KICKOFF:  Barcelona get us back under way at the Estadio del Rayo Vallecano. The first half did not go as planned for Ernesto Valverde, but he has decided against making any changes at the interval. Rayo Vallecano are also unchanged.

YELLOW CARD!  That goal from Jose Pozo was the first that Barcelona have conceded from outside the box in La Liga this season. Raul de Tomas clumsily bundles into Sergio Busquets and is shown the game's third yellow card as a result.

Barcelona have started the second half on top but, much like for large parts of the first half, they are creating little. Ousmane Dembele is already being readied to come on - will he make a telling difference when he is introduced?

CHANCE!  A rare chance for Barcelona - their first since Luis Suarez's goal, if I'm not mistaken. Rafinha is played through, but the angle was against him and he could only guide his shot wide of the target. Maybe Valverde will hold off from bringing on Dembele...

SAVE!  Rayo squander a glorious chance to take the lead, and Barcelona have Marc-Andre ter Stegen to thank for that. Adri Embarba latches on to a ball around the back and had a clear run at goal, but he took the shot first time and Ter Stegen kept it out down low.

Just like the Real Madrid vs. Real Valladolid game earlier today, this is a gripping contest that you cannot take your eyes off. This was meant to be an easy evening for Barcelona, but Rayo have ensured that we have a real game on our hands.

GOAL!  RAYO VALLECANO 2-1 BARCELONA (ALVARO GARCIA)

Unbelievable scenes here as Rayo Vallecano take the lead against the league leaders! Raul de Tomas heads Adri Embarba's cross against the post, and Alvaro Garcia, on the field for all of 60 seconds, taps in the rebound.

Alvaro Garcia is the player who dropped out of the starting lineup shortly before kickoff, so to see him on the field - never mind scoring - is a big surprise. What a moment that is for the Spanish midfielder, and now Barca have it all to do.

what a huge weekend this could be in La Liga. Atletico Madrid dropped two points at Leganes and Barcelona are on course to drop all three at Rayo Vallecano of all places. Real Madrid are right back in the title race all of a sudden!

RAYO VALLECANO SUB! Raul de Tomas, who has played a key part in this remarkable turnaround, is replaced by Alex Alegria with less than half an hour to play. Michel needs to use his remaining sub wisely.

BARCELONA SUB! Here comes Barcelona's second sub, 15 minutes after Rafinha was replaced by Ousmane Dembele, as Arturo Vidal takes over from Arthur - the Brazilian has struggled to impose himself in the way he so often does.

BARCELONA SUB! No messing around from Valverde - here comes the third and final change, with a little over 20 minutes left on the clock. Munir El Haddadi is on for Philippe Coutinho, giving Luis Suarez another new partner.

There has not been an awful lot of action in terms of chances since Rayo took a shock lead 10 minutes ago. Giannelli Imbula carries the ball forward and gets a shot away at the end of it, but misses the target by a fair distance.

RAYO VALLECANO SUB! The sixth and final change of the match is made - Alejandro Galvez is taken off, having picked up a knock, and Emiliano Velazquez brought on in his place in a like-for-like change.

Can't remember the last time Barcelona looked as ineffective as this. They have created next to nothing all evening, and that has not changed despite falling behind to Alvaro Garcia's tap-in 57 minutes in. They need to find inspiration from somewhere.

Rayo are starving Barcelona of possession. Unlike in the opening 30 minutes, when I really did worry for them, Los Franjirrojos are constantly getting at their opponents. A free kick has been won a little over 25 yards from goal...

SAVE!  Giannelli Imbula takes on the free kick and gets it on target, but it was a simple stop for Marc-Andre ter Stegen to make. Valverde has made all three of his changes, bringing on two new attackers and a midfielder, but still his side are struggling.

It is just not happening for Barca at the moment. The visitors' passing is off and they are quite simply unable to create anything. Still 11 minutes to go, but right now the home side are looking - say it quietly - as though they will claim three huge points.

Luis Suarez is dropping deep in an attempt to pick up the ball - never a good sign. Valverde fielded the same XI that saw off Real Madrid with ease last week; they are having far less joy tonight at the Estadio del Rayo Vallecano.

SAVE!  It's end-to-end stuff here as Barca press forward and Rayo look to capitalise on the counter. Luis Suarez gets a pretty weak shot away on goal, which is dealt with in a routine fashion by Alberto Garcia. The striker appears to have picked up a knock in the process.

Rayo are now just five minutes away from one of the biggest wins in their history. You cannot blame the home side, a Segunda division outfit last season, for wasting time as we enter the closing throes here.

There are now just three minutes to play here and Barcelona are still struggling to get the ball into the opposition box. Luis Suarez had that attempt five minutes ago, but that aside it has been pretty poor from the league leaders this evening.

GOAL!  RAYO VALLECANO 2-2 BARCELONA (OUSMANE DEMBELE)

Barcelona have salvaged a point through a fine finish from substitute Ousmane Dembele. Luis Suarez had a header kept out, but two minutes later Dembele made no mistake with his half-volley into the bottom corner - that was a half-chance at best.

GOAL!  RAYO VALLECANO 2-3 BARCELONA (LUIS SUAREZ)

This is so cruel on Rayo. Barcelona have surely pinched all three points as, two minutes after Ousmane Dembele dragged them back on level terms, Luis Suarez peeled away at the back post to convert a deep cross.

© Reuters

FULL TIME:  RAYO VALLECANO 2-3 BARCELONA

Barcelona somehow escape with all three points thanks to late goals from Ousmane Dembele and Luis Suarez. Suarez opened the scoring for the visitors, only for Jose Pozo and Alvaro Garcia to hit back either side of half time. Then came the dramatic late twist, which lifts the champions four points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid - what a huge result this is.

That concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events from Vallecas. An on-the-whistle report can be found by clicking here, and be sure to join us again tomorrow for updates from all the Premier League games. See you then!