Barcelona's Gerard Pique (L) and Luis Suárez celebrate the team's second goal against Sevilla. (Photo : Getty Images)
Reigning Spanish champions FC Barcelona (21-2-3, 66 points) travels to meet Rayo Vallecano (6-12-8, 26 points) at the Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas in Madrid on Thursday, March 3rd seeking to make history for consecutive games undefeated in all competitions this season.
The previous record was set by arch-rivals Real Madrid, which was 34 consecutive unbeaten matches during the 1988-1999 season. Barça was able to tie the 28-year-old record last Sunday when they defeated Sevilla FC at the Camp Nou, 2-1, as reported by SkySports.
It was no less than five-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi who opened the scoring at the 31st and then set up Luis Suárez for the perfect assist to defender Gerard Pique from close range to score their second goal against the hapless Sevillistas.
It was Barça's 19th straight unbeaten match in La Liga and their ninth consecutive win in the domestic top flight as well.
Luis Enrique's men are currently comfortably sitting on top of the 2015-2016 La Liga table, five points adrift of closest pursuer Atletico Madrid, and they are looking to tighten their grip on the title this season, their would-be third in the last four years.
The Catalonia giants are in form to repeat their treble last season as they also advanced to the Copa del Rey final and had beaten English Premier League's Arsenal, 2-0, in the first leg of their final-16 Champions League match.
Meanwhile, Rayo Vallecano settled for a 2-2 draw with Real Betis during their match at the Estadio Benito Villamarín last Saturday, as per ESPN.
Angolan striker Manucho scored a brace at the 48th and 51st minutes to spark Rayo's comeback from 0-2 down in the first half of play as Los Verdiblancos forward Ruben Castro also netted a double at the 14th and 28th.
Los Vallecanos are dangerously close to bottom-three relegations, only two points away from Sporting Gijon in the overall standings. Their last three matches all ended up in draws.
The predicted result is a 3-0 romp for Barcelona. Barça makes history for winning its 35th straight match, breaking Real Madrid's almost three-decade record.
Rayo Vallecano starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Carlos; Quini, Ze Castro, Llorente, Tito; Trashorras, Iturra; Embarba, Piti, Bebe; Miku
Barcelona starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Bravo; Vidal, Pique, Mathieu, Alba; Roberto, Busquets, Turan; Messi, Suárez, Neymar
