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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
1Atletico MadridAtletico18125133122141
2Real Madrid18124241182340
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal188643430430
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona187472625125
9Real BetisBetis186752122-125
10Osasuna186752327-425
11Celta Vigo187382728-124
12Rayo Vallecano185762021-122
13Las PalmasLas Palmas186482327-422
14Sevilla186482027-722
15Leganes184681728-1118
16AlavesAlaves184592130-917
17Getafe183781115-416
18Espanyol1843111630-1415
19Valencia172691626-1012
20Real ValladolidValladolid1833121237-2512


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