Barcelona to host Rayo Vallecano at Spotify Camp Nou in LaLiga matchweek 3 on September 1

FC Barcelona will face Rayo Vallecano at the Spotify Camp Nou on September 1 at 1 am IST in their LaLiga 2026-27 matchweek 3 fixture, with Barcelona entering after two league wins and Rayo yet to record a victory.

Barcelona, managed by Hansi Flick, opened their title defence with a 5-0 victory over Elche and followed that with a 2-0 win against Athletic Club, beginning the season with consecutive clean sheets and five-goal output in the opener. Flick has experimented with Raphinha as a number nine, a tactical change that has yielded goals in the first two matches. The team will return to home surroundings at the Spotify Camp Nou aiming to build on that positive start.

Rayo Vallecano began their campaign with a 1-2 loss to Sevilla and were held to a 1-1 draw by Deportivo Alaves, results that place pressure on Beñat San José and his squad. The upcoming fixture is away from home for Rayo, a factor the preview describes as making the task tougher for the visitors. The side conceded in both opening matches and will need to find a way to score against Barcelona’s defence.

Raphinha, listed as a 29-year-old striker in the preview, has scored three goals across Barcelona’s first two LaLiga matches and opened the scoring in the previous game; the article also notes his pace as a factor that troubles opposing defences. Barcelona’s attacking form is presented as a central reason for optimism in the preview, with Raphinha’s early-season returns singled out.

For Rayo, the preview highlights Sergio Camello as the player to watch after he scored Rayo’s goal in the 1-1 draw with Alaves; the piece describes him as a 25-year-old Spanish forward who is usually deployed as a sole striker. The article suggests Camello will need to elevate his performance if Rayo are to pose a sustained threat at the Camp Nou.

Squad availability issues are noted for both sides: Barcelona will be without Frenkie de Jong, Gavi and Roony Bardghji as they continue to recover from injuries, while Rayo will miss Augusto Batalla and Luiz Felipe due to injury and may also be without Isi Palazon and Marash Kumbulla because of a lack of fitness. The preview provides projected lineups as follows — Barcelona: Garcia (GK); Kounde, Cubarsi, Martin, Cancelo; Bernal, Pedri; Lopez; Yamal, Raphinha, Gordon. Rayo Vallecano: Cardenas (GK); Ratiu, Lejeune, Fernandez, Vertrouwd; Ciss, Lopez; De Frutos, Diaz, Perez; Camello.

The preview concludes that Barcelona enter the match with confidence from their early-season attack and defence, while Rayo are facing a difficult run of form and selection issues; it suggests Hansi Flick’s side are likely to secure a win at the Spotify Camp Nou. The fixture is scheduled for September 1 at 1 am IST and the preview notes FanCode as a service to follow the match.