Barcelona vs Espanyol: Preview, predictions and lineups

Barcelona hope extend their lead at the top of La Liga on Sunday afternoon when they host Catalan rivals Espanyol in the Derbi Barceloni.

La Blaugrana extended their advantage at the summit in style last weekend, hammering Real Madrid 4-0 in El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Four unanswered second-half strikes secured a memorable victory and fired Barcelona six points ahead of the reigning champions. That margin will be extended to nine this weekend if Hansi Flick’s side beat Espanyol following the postponement of Madrid’s clash with Valencia.

Barca have dominated this particular derby over recent years, with Espanyol having failed to win this fixture since January 2018. Having spent last term in the second division, Espanyol are meeting their local rivals for the first time since a 4-2 defeat in May 2023 – a fixture which secured the 2022/23 La Liga title for Xavi’s Barca.

Espanyol have made a largely underwhelming start to their La Liga return, with just ten points accumulated from their opening 11 matches. They have tasted five defeats in their last six league outings but did earn some respite midweek after beating San Tirso 4-0 in the Copa del Rey.

Here is 90min’s guide to an all-Barcelona affair.

Barcelona vs Espanyol H2H Record (Last Five Games)

Current form (all competitions)

How to watch Barcelona vs Espanyol on TV and live stream

Barcelona continue to battle a lengthy list of absentees and Flick is still without Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Andreas Christensen, Ronald Araujo, Marc Bernal and Ferran Torres. Eric Garcia is also a doubt for the weekend’s match-up.

However, they have been buoyed by the return of some key midfielders in recent weeks, with Frenkie de Jong, Gavi and Dani Olmo all making their comebacks.

De Jong has been eased back into the team but could make his first start since April against Espanyol. Olmo could also replace Fermin Lopez in the number ten spot.

Barca’s forward line has been purring in recent weeks with 21 goals scored across their last five matches. Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski have been in particularly strong goalscoring form with 15 of those goals coming from the duo.

Barcelona predicted lineup vs Espanyol

Barcelona predicted lineup vs Espanyol (4-2-3-1): Pena; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski.

Espanyol are without a number of players for their trip across Barcelona, with Fernando Calero missing in defence and Pol Lozano and Jose Gragera expected to miss out in the centre of the park.

Espanyol have issues on the left flank with Edu Exposito out of action and Naci Unuvar a doubt after experiencing discomfort in the midweek Copa del Rey victory.

Tottenham Hotspur loanee Alejo Veliz scored a hat-trick midweek and will now be keen to take his goalscoring form into La Liga.

Espanyol predicted lineup vs Barcelona

Espanyol predicted lineup vs Barcelona (5-3-2): Garcia; Tejero, El Hilali, Kumbulla, Cabrera, Romero; Carreras, Kral, Aguardo; Veliz, Puado.

Barcelona will be extremely strong favourites to not only beat Espanyol on Sunday but to run up the score. They have bagged three or more in eight different fixtures this season and boast an array of attacking talents in exceptional form.

Meanwhile, Espanyol have one of the leakiest defences in the division with 19 goals conceded in 11 matches, while they have also managed just ten goals themselves. Barca’s powers are just too strong right now and Sunday’s derby could be as one-sided as they come.

Prediction: Barcelona 4-0 Espanyol

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