Barcelona travel to the Spanish capital tomorrow evening to lock horns with Rayo Vallecano at Vallecas in La Liga.
Ronald Koeman’s men are looking to bounce back from Sunday’s 2-1 defeat in El Clasico to Real Madrid, and go into the game sitting ninth in the league table.
Rayo, despite earning promotion from Segunda by the skin of their teeth last year, are enjoying a fine season. They’re seventh in La Liga and lost a 3-2 thriller at Real Betis last weekend.
Barcelona last faced Rayo in the Copa del Rey last season, winning 2-1 at Vallecas. Fran Garcia fired the hosts into the lead in the 63rd minute, only for a certain Lionel Messi to equalise six minutes later. Frenkie de Jong won it in the 80th minute.
Koeman is expected to set his team up in a 4-3-3. Marc-Andre ter Stegen is thought to be in line to start in goal behind a back four of Sergino Dest, Gerard Pique, Eric Garcia and Jordi Alba.
Sergio Busquets will likely sit at the base of midfield, with Gavi and Sergi Roberto either side of him. Memphis Depay is expected to lead the line, flanked by Ansu Fati and Philippe Coutinho.
Martin Braithwaite, Ronald Araujo, Pedri, Ousmane Dembele and Frenkie de Jong are all out of action for Barcelona. Rayo are missing just Martin Merquelanz.
