Rayo Vallecano vs Barcelona: how and where to watch - times, TV, online
All the info you need to know on how and where to watch Rayo Vallecano host Barcelona in the Copa del Rey round of 16 match on 27 January at 21:00 CET.
Barcelona travel to Madrid to take on Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday knowing that anything can happen in the knockout competition.
Rayo Vallecano vs Barcelona: match preview
The Catalan club's coach Ronald Koeman is well aware of that, as his side needed extra time to defeat Cornellà (0-2) in the previous round. Moreover, the most likely two threats to Barcelona’s cup chances, Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, have been kicked out of the competition by Alcoyano and Cornellà respectively, so the Dutch coach knows Barça are in a great position to collect another trophy.
(Stats courtesy of sofascore.com)
Both teams looking pretty solid lately
Both teams go into the match in decent form. The hosts have lost just one match in their last nine and they are in fourth position in the Segunda División standings, five points behind Almería.
As for Barcelona, they have only lost once in their last 12 matches and have won their last four games in LaLiga. Their most recent defeat was against Athletic Club in the Spanish Super Cup final, but prior to that they hadn't lost since their fiasco against Juventus in the Champions League.
Rayo without Velázquez
Rayo’s coach Andoni Iraola won’t be able to call upon defender Emiliano Velázquez, unavailable after being injured against Mallorca. Esteban Saveljich will likely take his spot alongside Alejandro Catena and Luis Advíncula.
Iraola, a former Athletic player, likes to use a 4-2-3-1 formation but this time around he could use Óscar Trejo to assist the two central midfielders in the second line of press. If so, that could see Mario Suárez and Santi Comesana trying to disturb the visitors’ creative line.
Isi Palazón and Álvaro García could be the chosen ones in attack, partnering striker Bebé.
Moriba and Puig in midfield?
Meanwhile, Barcelona’s Neto will replace Marc-André ter Stegen in goal. The blaugranas won’t see Sergiño Dest on the pitch, as the American international is yet to return to full fitness. Sergi Roberto is still unavailable, so Óscar Mingueza and Junior Firpo could once again be the full-backs for Barcelona, alongside Clement Lenglet and Ronald Araújo in central defence.
In midfield, Barcelona have included Ilaix Moriba in their squad once again. He could play together with young talent Riqui Puig, both partnering veteran Miralem Pjanic.
Barça take it seriously, Messi in
As Koeman said before the match, Barça is taking the encounter very seriously and that’s why Lionel Messi, always a constant menace for any defensive line, is expected to play a part against Rayo. The Argentine superstar will likely be surrounded by Trincao, Ousmane Dembélé and Martin Brathwaite.
What time does the Rayo Vallecano vs Barcelona match start?
The 2020/2021 Copa del Rey match between Rayo Vallecano and Barcelona will be played at Estadio de Vallecas (Madrid) and will kick off at 21:00 CET on Wednesday 27 January 2021.
That's 20:00 in the UK, 15:00 ET and 12:00 PT.
Find out what time Rayo Vallecano v Barcelona gets underway where you are in the world.
Where can I watch Rayo Vallecano vs Barcelona?
No matter where you are on the planet, you can see what channel the Rayo Vallecano vs Barcelona match is available on here.
Spain: TeleCinco Espana, DAZN.
United Kingdom: Premier Sports 1.
United States: ESPN+.
Is the Rayo Vallecano vs Barcelona game online?
Rayo Vallecano-Barcelona is available in most nations through the rights holders’ online platform, if they have one. The best option is to check who is showing the game in your country and if they have an online service or Ios/Android app to watch it on.
Rayo Vallecano vs Barcelona: AS English live coverage
You can also follow our live text commentary, with all the key statistics, here on AS English. We will be building up to the match throughout the day before giving you a minute-by-minute account as it unfolds.