Rayo Vallecano vs Barcelona, La Liga 2015/16: Where to watch live, preview, betting odds and possible XI

Lionel Messi & Adil Rami — Barcelona's Lionel Messi reached the 30-goal mark for the eighth consecutive season in the win against Sevilla Reuters

Barcelona will look to consolidate their advantage at the top of the La Liga table when they travel to Vallecas to take on Rayo Vallecano on 3 March.

Where to watch live

Kick-off is set for 8pm GMT. The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports 5 HD.

Overview

A seven-game unbeaten run in the league has propelled Rayo Vallecano out of the relegation zone but they remain just two points above 18th placed Sporting Gijon. The Madrid club have finished on the losing side in their last 10 head-to-head meetings with Barcelona.

Paco Jemez is without Miku and Pablo Hernandez, who are both sidelined through hamstring injuries. Tono, David Cobeno, Razvan Rat and Patrick Ebert all remain out injured but forward Javi Guerra (knee) could return.

Barcelona came from behind to beat Sevilla 2-1 at the Nou Camp on 28 February, stretching their unbeaten run in all competitions to 34 matches. Luis Enrique's side need to avoid defeat at Vallecas to overtake Real Madrid's run in the 1988/89 season and become the La Liga team with the longest unbeaten record.

Enrique has no fresh injury concerns. Right-back Dani Alves is suspended after collecting his fifth yellow card of the season against Sevilla.

What managers say

Paco Jemez: "The team is on the right track, but there is room for improvement. We made the [Real Betis] game very difficult for ourselves. We conceded two early goals, so we had to readjust and play with a back three."

Luis Enrique: "Sevilla have been perhaps the team who have fought most against us. They are the best team to come to the Nou Camp this season. They were ahead and we had to defend. They can hurt you in every possible way. We have eight points over Atletico. We have believed we will retain the title from the first day of the season. That is the priority and we are in a better position."