Barcelona will be aiming to make yet more history for consecutive games unbeaten when they travel to lowly Rayo Vallecano as they look to tighten their grip on the La Liga title.

It is Real Madrid's benchmark of 34 games unbeaten from the 1988-89 season which will fall if they avoid defeat at the Campo de Futbol de Vallecas on Thursday night, live on Sky Sports 5 HD from 7.45pm.

Barca stretched their unbeaten streak with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Sevilla on Sunday after a brilliant Lionel Messi free-kick and Gerard Pique's winner overcame Vitolo's early strike for the visitors.

They lead Atletico Madrid by five points at the top of the table with Real Madrid a further seven points back in third and will be firm favourites to set another record having not lost to Rayo since a 1-0 defeat 14 years ago.

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Luis Enrique's side look well set to repeat their league, cup and European treble from last season having progressed to the Copa del Rey final before beating Arsenal 2-0 away in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

But Enrique insists records will mean nothing without the titles and defender Jordi Alba said they are wary of complacency with just 12 league games to go.

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"In the dressing room there is precaution and at any moment the opponent can cause us problems," said the Spanish international.

"Atletico Madrid continue to put the pressure on."

Barca have been far from their brilliant best in many of their recent league games with fatigue starting to set in from an already gruelling campaign of 46 games across six competitions.

However, Pique highlighted their resolve to put themselves on the brink of a sixth league title in eight years.

"We have suffered against Las Palmas, Malaga and other matches, but we have managed to win the games," he said.

"I think you win leagues like that if you can suffer and continue to win."

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The suspended Dani Alves and long-term injury absentee Rafinha [knee] are the only players unavailable to Enrique, while Sergi Roberto and Sergio Busquets are fitness worries, but he is likely to rotate in defence and midfield once more to keep his side fresh for the final few months of the season.

Enrique is expected to move Javier Mascherano up into the holding role, with Ivan Rakitic taking Roberto's place while the star front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar are expected to start once more in attack.

Rayo are unbeaten in seven league games, including five 2-2 draws, but remain just two points above the relegation zone.

Head coach Paco Jemez already has a lengthy list of concerns and is likely to be without Miku, Pablo Hernandez (both hamstring) and Jozabed (ankle).

"It is difficult to beat Barca because we are facing the best team in the world with the best players," said Rayo midfielder Roberto Trashorras.

"One day they will lose and we have to try to make sure that is on Thursday."

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