Today Soccer Prediction Monday 17th February 2025

Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano, Spain – LaLiga, Estadi Olímpic Lluis Companys, 21:00

Barcelona will welcome Rayo Vallecano to Estadi Olímpic Lluis Companys on Monday night knowing that a victory would see them rise above Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid to the top of the La Liga table.

Dropped points by Real Madrid and Atletico on Saturday have created an opportunity for Barcelona to potentially rise to the top, but they will face a strong Rayo team that is currently in sixth place.

Real Madrid and Atletico were held to 1-1 draws by Osasuna and Celta Vigo respectively on Saturday, with the former at the summit on 51 points, one point clear of Diego Simeone’s side in second position.

Barcelona are three points off the lead, but due to their superior head-to-head record over Real Madrid, a victory over Rayo would see Hansi Flick’s side move to the top of the division with 14 games left to play.

The Catalan giants come into this match following three consecutive victories across all competitions, including a 4-1 triumph against Sevilla last weekend. They remain unbeaten since a 2-1 defeat to Atletico in their last game before the winter break.

Meanwhile, Rayo will enter the match off the back of three straight league wins over Girona, Leganes and Real Valladolid, and Inigo Perez’s side are certainly European contenders at this campaign stage.

Rayo are a brilliant outfit and are capable of making this a very uncomfortable match for Barcelona; the hosts are flying at the moment, though, and we are finding it difficult to predict anything other than a victory for Flick’s side, who could be the new division leaders on Monday night.

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