FC Barcelona are set to face Rayo Vallecano in a crucial match tonight, with a victory allowing them to reclaim the top spot in La Liga after losing it just before the Christmas break.
Both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid dropped points in their last games on Saturday, providing the Catalans with a golden chance to obtain the first position.
Three points against Vallecano would take Barcelona to 51 points, level with Real Madrid, but they would move into first place due to their superior head-to-head record this season and a better goal difference.
However, getting this win will not really be easy, as the visitors for this game are currently sitting 6th in the La Liga table, and will be looking to qualify for a European competition for the next season. They have also won all of their last three games in the league, and have been one of the surprise teams in Spain this season.
Barcelona have already announced the squad for this game, and Hansi Flick will have almost all of this team available, barring the long-term absences, i.e., Andreas Christensen, Marc-André ter Stegen, and Marc Bernal. Fermín López is also not available for this game because of the red card he got against Sevilla.
The full squad announced by Barcelona for this game is as follows:
Goalkeepers:
- 1: Wojciech Szczęsny
- 2: Iñaki Peña Sotorres
- 3: Diego Kochen
Defenders:
- 1: Ronald Araújo
- 2: Pau Cubarsí
- 3: Jules Koundé
- 4: Alejandro Balde
- 5: Iñigo Martínez
- 6: Eric Garcia
- 7: Gerard Martín
- 8: Hector Fort
Midfielders:
- 1: Pedri
- 2: Gavi
- 3: Frenkie de Jong
- 4: Dani Olmo
- 5: Marc Casadó
- 6: Pablo Torre
Forwards:
- 1: Robert Lewandowski
- 2: Lamine Yamal
- 3: Raphinha
- 4: Ferran Torres
- 5: Pau Víctor
- 6: Ansu Fati
Injured:
- 1: Marc-André ter Stegen
- 2: Marc Bernal
- 3: Andreas Christensen
Suspended:
- 1: Fermín López
