Barcelona Seek 21st Straight Home League Win as Rayo Arrive With a Weakened Squad

Rodri's likely start could reshape Barcelona's midfield, testing a Rayo side carrying injuries, a missing goalkeeper, a player transfer dispute and a stadium-safety suspension.

Overview

The LaLiga Round 3 match is set for 31 August 2026 at the Spotify Camp Nou with a 20:30 BST kick-off.
Barcelona have started the season with two wins, seven goals scored and two clean sheets and will try to extend a 20-game LaLiga home winning run to 21.
Rodri made his debut as a second-half substitute in Barcelona's last match and is a strong candidate to start, creating the possibility of a Rodri–Pedri midfield partnership that could change how Barça control possession.
Rayo travel with major disruption: goalkeeper Augusto Batalla is out with a broken leg, Dani Cárdenas is set to continue in goal, several players are injured, Pathe Ciss is reportedly refusing to train amid a push to leave, and the club has been forced by a stadium-safety suspension to stage a home fixture away from Vallecas.
Official starting line-ups remain provisional and are expected 20–40 minutes before kick-off, with Lamine Yamal's search for a first goal contribution and Barcelona's defensive solidity among the main matchday storylines.