Barcelona can have the distance between themselves and the closest adversaries in La Liga as big as nine points when they take on local rivals Espanyol at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys-temporary venue of Catalans-on Sunday afternoon. Thanks to their brilliant 4-0 El Clásico win over Real Madrid, Hansi Flick’s side will come into the Catalan derby in excellent shape. Espanyol, in their turn-already the 17th team of La Liga-head into the match off a 4-0 Copa del Rey win against San Tirso.
Preview: Match
Barcelona have been in scintillating form as they seek to record five successive victories across all competitions. A win this weekend will extend their lead over Real Madrid, to whom their match with Valencia was postponed because of heavy flooding in Spain. In their last meeting, Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 4-0 on the back of goals from Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, and Raphinha. This indicated their very dangerous attack. So far this season, the Catalans have won 10 of their 11 league games, scoring 37 goals in the process.
Historically, Barcelona have bossed Espanyol, unbeaten in their last 26 league meetings and victors in an astonishing 102 of 176 matches against each other across the La Liga format. Lewandowski is having an outstanding season, with 17 goals in 14 games, while Raphinha and Yamal have also contributed greatly with goals and assists.
Espanyol have struggled this season. They presently lie 17th place with just 10 points from 11 games and boast one of the worst defensive records in the league, with 19 goals conceded. Despite all struggles this season, Espanyol were good enough to hold Barcelona to a 1-1 draw in their last league visit back in the 2022-23 campaign. Manolo Gonzalez’s side won promotion back to La Liga via the Segunda Division playoffs last term and they’ll be hoping to cause a scene against the table toppers on Sunday.
Team Form
Barcelona La Liga Form: WWLWWW
Barcelona All Competitions Form: LWWWWW
Espanyol La Liga Form: LLLWLL
Espanyol All Competitions Form: LLWLLW
Team News
Barcelona: Ferran Torres, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Marc Bernal, Andreas Christensen, and Ronald Araujo are the absentees for this clash, with Eric Garcia, too, missing through a muscular problem. Hansi Flick is likely to put his faith in the same lineup that won against Real Madrid, but Frenkie de Jong and Dani Olmo may start, coming from the bench into the place of Marc Casado and Fermin Lopez. Gavi, building momentum back from a long spell with knee problems, is most likely to be among the substitutes. The in-form trio of Lewandowski, Yamal, and Raphinha will continue upfront.
Espanyol: Alejo Veliz, fresh off a hat-trick against San Tirso, may find his way into the first XI alongside Javi Puado up front. However, Pol Lozano should be absent due to a muscular problem sustained during the Copa del Rey match. Jose Gragera will be included after just returning from a foot injury, but Fernando Calero and Edu Exposito remain with injury problems. Changes from the Copa del Rey match could come about with the inclusion of Alex Kral, Joan Garcia, and Alvaro Tejero.
Predicted Starting Lineups
Barcelona Possible Starting XI:
Pena; Kounde, Cubarsi, I Martinez, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Espanyol Possible Starting XI:
Garcia; El Hilali, Kumbulla, Cabrera, Olivan; Tejero, Kral, Gragera, Carreras; Puado, Veliz
Barcelona goes into the Catalan derby as clear favourites, but more so because of how clinical they have been in the recent period. Espanyol will need to put up a serious defensive wall if they are to stand any chance while Barcelona seek to carry on with their momentum at the top of La Liga.
