The Catalan giants begins their La Liga
title defence in blistering fashion, still maintaining 100% records in the
opening matches, scoring 14 goals along the way to sit top of the standings.
Gerardo Martino's men are, however, joined at the summit by
Atletico Madrid, who have matched them stride for stride, scoring and conceding
(4) exactly as many as Barca.They will be looking to maintain their 100 per
cent start to the Primera Liga season when they travel to the Estadio de
Vallecas to face struggling Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.
Rayo, meanwhile, will need nothing short of a footballing miracle
to take the three points off the Spanish giants, with the side having last
managed that feat in 2002.
Franjirrojos have also struggled for form this term, with one win
and three defeats from their opening four matches leaving them in 15th, just
one point above the relegation zone.
Paco Jemez's men will also remember the result the last time they
met Barca at home, having slumped to a 5-0 thrashing, while they would later
also lose the reverse fixture 3-1.
In team news, Rayo will have to do without the suspended Lass
Bangoura, who was sent off in the defeat to Levante, while Iago Falque (groin)
and Jose Carlos (knee ligament) remain in the casualty ward.
For Barca, Carles Puyol has not yet fully recovered his knee
injury, while Ibrahim Affelay also misses out with a thigh strain, although the
pair prove Martino's only fresh absentee co
