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Barcelona logo
La Liga
Mar 17, 2013 at 8pm UK
 
Rayo Vallecano logo

3-1

Villa (25'), Messi (40', 57')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Tamudo (70')

Preview: Barcelona vs. Rayo Vallecano

Sports Mole previews the La Liga clash between Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano.

Barcelona host Rayo Vallecano at Camp Nou on Sunday night as they look to maintain their 13-point advantage at the top of the La Liga table.

The Catalan club hadn't been at their best in recent weeks, but they returned to form with a 4-0 win over AC Milan in midweek.

Carles Puyol, Cesc Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez didn't start on Tuesday night, but they could return to the first XI.

Rayo Vallecano have performed well this season, currently occupying eighth place in the league table.

They arrive in Barcelona on the back of a 2-0 success over Espanyol, but they will know that they will need to be at their best to trouble the Spanish giants.

Jose Carlos could replace Alhassane Bangoura, after he was forced off early during last week's win.

Recent form

Barcelona: WLLWW

Rayo Vallecano: WLLDW

Possible starting lineups

Barcelona: Valdes; Dani Alves, Pique, Jordi Alba, Puyol; Fabregas, Xavi, Busquets; Messi, Alexis Sanchez, Pedro

Rayo Vallecano: Ruben; Casado, Jordi Figueras, Tito, Galvez; Javi Fuego, Trashorras, Piti, Dominguez; Jose Carlos, Leo Baptistao

Sports Mole says: 4-0


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Written by
Darren Plant

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid21154250203049
2Atletico MadridAtletico21136235142145
3Barcelona21133559243542
4Athletic Bilbao21117331181340
5Villarreal219753932734
6Mallorca219391926-730
7Rayo Vallecano217862524129
8GironaGirona218492929028
9Real Sociedad218491717028
10Real BetisBetis217772326-328
11Osasuna216962530-527
12Sevilla217682430-627
13Celta Vigo2174103033-325
14Getafe215881717023
15Las PalmasLas Palmas2165102634-823
16Leganes215881929-1023
17AlavesAlaves2156102533-821
18Espanyol2155112033-1320
19Valencia2137112036-1616
20Real ValladolidValladolid2143141442-2815


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