Barcelona predicted lineup vs Rayo Vallecano - La Liga

Barcelona have a huge chance to return to the top of La Liga when they face Rayo Vallecano on Monday night.

After setting the pace early on, Hansi Flick's side endured a mightily frustrating end to 2024 and left themselves with ground to make up on the Madrid behemoths at the division's summit.

However, three handsome wins on the bounce combined with stumblings from the capital means Barca look poised to ascend into the driver's seat once more. Rayo will prove to be a stern test, they're the Bournemouth of La Liga, but this is an opportunity they cannot pass up.

Here's the starting lineup Flick could pick on Monday night.

Barcelona predicted lineup vs Rayo Vallecano (4-2-3-1)

GK: Wojciech Szczesny - The veteran's integration hasn't come without chaos, but Szczesny seems to have usurped Inaki Pena, who hadn't done much wrong to lose his spot, as Barca's number two.

RB: Jules Kounde - The Frenchman, in line for a new contract, has been a mainstay down Barca's right this term, with only Raphinha racking up more minutes in La Liga. Kounde's recovery speed will be put to the test against a rapid Rayo frontline.

CB: Pau Cubarsi - Cubarsi has a huge role in ensuring Rayo don't overwhelm the hosts with their intensity out of possession. The Spanish teenager is a master ball player and majestic progressive passer.

CB: Inigo Martinez - Ronald Araujo should be fit for Monday's game, but Flick's likely to leave his captain out due to his limitations in possession. Martinez and Cubarsi have proven to be a stout combination.

LB: Alejandro Balde - Balde is back to playing his best football, and Barca need the left-back to stay fit for the remainder of the season given the drop off in quality compared to the academy graduates currently operating in reserve.

CM: Pedri - Rayo must get to Pedri if they're to slow Flick's side down. The 22-year-old is playing at such a high level, and he will take the game away from the visitors if a concerted effort isn't made to disrupt his flow.

CM: Marc Casado - Casado's form had dipped in the new year, but his malaise can be put down to fatigue. The young midfielder earned a breather at Sevilla last weekend and should be fresh for Monday's bout.

RW: Lamine Yamal - The teenage phenomenon has played a lot of football this season, but it's so tough for Flick to offer Yamal respite. He's far too important to this Barca side, and currently leads La Liga with ten assists.

AM: Dani Olmo - Fermin Lopez had enjoyed a rich vein of form following quiet first half to 2024/25, but he's suspended for Rayo's visit after receiving his marching orders at Sevilla. Olmo, who scored the winner in the reverse fixture, is thus a shoo-in to start as the hosts' number ten.

LW: Raphinha - The Brazilian star will don the armband if Araujo drops to the bench, and he'll be looking to produce the goods once again on a big night for the Blaugrana.

ST: Robert Lewandowski - The veteran forward remains inevitable for the Catalonians, and he leads the La Liga Golden Boot race by a distance having scored 19 times in 22 games.

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