Saturday's La Liga predictions including Barcelona vs. Rayo Vallecano

Celta Vigo vs. Espanyol (Saturday, 4.00pm)

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Celta Vigo will be bidding to make a winning start to their 2022-23 La Liga campaign when they welcome Espanyol to Estadio Municipal de Balaidos on Saturday afternoon.

The Sky Blues finished 11th in Spain's top flight last season, two points behind ninth-place Valencia, while Espanyol were 14th, just four points above the relegation zone.

We say: Celta Vigo 1-1 Espanyol

Both teams will have a fresh look on Saturday, and it should be an interesting battle on the opening weekend of the new season. There is not too much between the two sides in terms of quality, and we are backing the points to be shared in this contest.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

Real Valladolid vs. Villarreal (Saturday, 6.00pm)

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Villarreal will be bidding to start their 2022-23 La Liga campaign on a positive note when they make the trip to Real Valladolid on Saturday evening.

The Yellow Submarine finished seventh in La Liga last season, three points behind sixth-place Real Sociedad, while Valladolid secured a return to the top level by finishing second in the Segunda Division in 2021-22.

We say: Real Valladolid 1-2 Villarreal

Games on the opening weekend of the new season are often difficult to predict, and it would certainly not be a surprise to see Valladolid win here. That said, Villarreal will be able to send the greater quality onto the field, and we are expecting the Yellow Submarine to have too much for their opponents on Saturday.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

Barcelona vs. Rayo Vallecano (Saturday, 8.00pm)

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Barcelona will be bidding to make the perfect start to their 2022-23 La Liga campaign when they welcome Rayo Vallecano to Camp Nou on Saturday night.

The Catalan giants finished second in the table last season, 13 points behind the champions Real Madrid, while Rayo impressed on their return to Spain's top flight from the Segunda Division, claiming 13th position.

We say: Barcelona 3-1 Rayo Vallecano

Rayo are a team that like to get hold of the ball and pass it, which they did so impressively for long spells of last season. The visitors are more than capable of picking up a positive result in this match, but we are finding it very difficult to look past Barcelona, providing that they are able to register their new signings.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

> How Barcelona could line up against Rayo Vallecano

> Barcelona injury, suspension list vs. Rayo Vallecano