Barcelona will attempt to make it three wins from three to start the new La Liga season when they face Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday, August 27.
Hansi Flick has overseen back-to-back 2-1 victories against Valencia and Athletic Club in a promising start to life as head coach at Camp Nou, despite injury problems and the distractions of Barca's transfer manoeuvres as they attempt to fall within La Liga spending rules.
New signing Dani Olmo still has not played as the club have been unable to register him without the risk of breaching their salary cap, but the Euro 2024 star will hope to play at some point this week, even if the Rayo match comes too soon.
The Madrid club beat Real Sociedad on the opening day before playing out a less engaging 0-0 draw with neighbours Getafe, in which neither team managed a shot on target. Barca have failed to win on their previous three visits to Vallecas, though, so the hosts will go into this game in reasonably confident mood.
Rayo fans have already enjoyed a memorable start to the week, the club having announced the signing of Colombia star James Rodriguez the day before the game. Defeating Barca would only enhance the celebratory atmosphere.
The Sporting News looks at the latest team news and predicted lineups for this game.
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Rayo Vallecano vs. Barcelona lineups, predicted starting 11, team news
Rayo boss Inigo Perez might be tempted to revert to the 4-4-2 setup that saw his side claim an impressive 2-1 win away to Real Sociedad on the opening day, although a 4-2-3-1 may offer more defensive protection.
Romania right-back Andrei Ratiu will hope to be fit after missing the draw with Getafe due to a minor injury, and there may be some rotation given the squad has had only two days to recover from that game. Isi Palazon, Alvaro Garcia Rivera, and Sergio Camello could come in.
New signing James Rodriguez is not expected to be involved so soon, his move to the club having only been confirmed the day before the game.
Rayo Vallecano predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Cardenas (GK) — Ratiu, Lejeune, Mumin, Espino — Valentin, Unai Lopez — Embarba, Isi Palazon, Garcia Rivera — Camello
Injured: Andrei Ratiu (doubt)
Suspended: None
Barca's defence will almost certainly be unchanged given that Clement Lenglet has joined Atletico Madrid on loan and Eric Garcia may also move on before the transfer deadline.
Flick may be tempted to start Fermin Lopez, although that may depend on whether Dani Olmo can at last be registered with La Liga. Robert Lewandowski will likely keep his place after scoring three times in the first two games, although Ferran Torres could be used from the start to hand the Poland star a rest.
Barcelona predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Ter Stegen (GK)— Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde — Casado, Pedri — Lamine Yamal, Lopez, Torres — Lewandowski
Injured: Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Ansu Fati
Suspended: None
Unavailable: Dani Olmo (pending registration)
Rayo Vallecano vs. Barcelona live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this La Liga match across selected areas of the world's major regions:
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| USA | ESPN Deportes | ESPN+, Fubo |
| Canada | — | TSN+ |
| UK | Premier Sports 1, LaLigaTV | Premier Sports Player |
| Australia | beIN SPORTS 3 | beIN Sports Connect |
| India | — | GXR World |