Barcelona vs Espanyol
Barcelona vs Espanyol is always a meeting of maximum ambition, in which both teams try to play at the best level. The Barcelona Derby comes at a time when the home team is the only one to escape, to use a term in cycling for the title of La Liga. With 10 points in front of Atletico Madrid, it’s hard to believe he will lose this trophy. The Espanyol match is scheduled on Saturday, 17.15 on New Field.
Barcelona: current form, latest results, statistics
Barcelona remains the most powerful team in La Liga. It had a small synchro in the early part of the season, when Sevilla came first, but only for one stage. The rest of the Catalan team totally dominated this edition. There was a time when it was believed that the title fight would be balanced when Real Madrid gave signs of revival. Only Barcelona knew how to cut off its bumper and beat it twice, both in the cup and in the championship. Now comes after a series of 5 consecutive wins in La Liga and has not lost 16 games. He only gave up 2 times in this edition, with Leganes (1-2) and Betis (3-4). Both defeats were great surprises at the time. There are some problems in the offensive line of the host team. Dembele is injured and will not play safe. Luis Suarez has also struck in the last match with Betis, and he is uncertain about this meeting. Lionel Messi was injured in the Argentine national match with Venezuela, and did not attend the meeting with Morocco. Lionel Messi, with 29 goals, is the most important marker in La Liga, but also in all European championships. The Argentine returned to training on Wednesday after a few days of rest, and seems resurrected and apt for the Espanyol match.
Espanyol: current form, latest results, statistics
Espanyol ranks 13th in the La Liga with 34 points. It has 9 points more than the first relegation position on Celta Vigo. Another 10 points would be needed to secure his place in La Liga for the next season. He is a team with no outstanding results, so he has only 9 points. He has only one victory in Huesca’s last opponent. This was achieved last year in October. It is true that it also has 6 results of equality, but the vast majority came in front of the teams close to value. Facundo Ferreyra has suffered an injury last Friday and will be missing between 4 and 6 weeks. Roberto Rosales finished with a nasal fracture in the match with Sevilla. However, he can play if he is wearing a mask on his face. The good news is the return of Sergio Garcia after a month and a half absence. Borja Iglesias, 11 goals scored, is the most effective striker of the hosts. Even if his contract does not expire in the summer, there is intense talk of a salary increase to persuade him to stay at Espanyol. Chinese patron Chen Yansheng wants his team to enter the Asian market and probably will bring other players on that continent, besides Wu Lei, who is already a champion at Espanyol.
Barcelona vs Espanyol: probable teams and unavailable players
- Barcelona (4-3-3): Ter Stegen – Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Jordi Alba – Rakitic, Busquets, Arthur – Messi, Boateng, Coutinho
- Coach: Ernesto Valverde
- Accident: Dembele, Rafinha
- Uncertain: Luis Suarez
- Espanyol (4-3-3): Diego Lopez – Rosales, Hermoso, Naldo, Javi Lopez – Granero, Marc Roca, Melendo – Hernan Perez, Borja Iglesias, Wu Lei
- Injury: David Lopez, Piatti
- Uncertain: Duarte
- Suspended: Darder
Barcelona vs Espanyol: Direct Matches
- 09.09.2017 Barcelona vs Espanyol 5-0
- 18.12.2016 Barcelona vs Espanyol 4-1
- 08.05.2016 Barcelona vs Espanyol 5-0
- 07.12.2014 Barcelona vs Espanyol 5-1
- 01.11.2013 Barcelona vs Espanyol 1-0
Barcelona vs Espanyol Picks
Barcelona has some problems in the offensive line where Dembele and probably Luis Suarez will miss. He has players able to replace them, but game relationships will not be as lethal anymore. It is a good chance for the visiting team to try a good result or at least to reduce the score proportions. The defensive line did much better this season and proved to secure the front door.
Prediction Today: Over 3.5
Odds: 1.44
