FC Barcelona Vs Espanyol Preview: Barca looking forward to register another La Liga win

Coming on the back of dominant displays against two of the best European clubs, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, FC Barcelona prepares to face Espanyol next in La Liga. Considering the way the Blaugrana club has performed in the League campaign so far, having won 10 out of 11 games, much expectation would be from them to get the complete 3 points in the home fixture. However, certainly, Flick's Barcelona side would want to give their best without being carried with the last 2 wins for the important games ahead.

FC Barcelona Vs Espanyol Preview

FC Barcelona is set to face off against Espanyol in the 12th La Liga season matchday on 3rd November 2024, at 15:15 UTC at the Estadi Olimpic stadium. Given the form Hansi Flick's Barca side has been in, they would enter the fixture as the favorites, with the motive to dominate the opposition, the way they have been doing so far. Having excelled in their recent games against Real Madrid and Bayern on all fronts, FC Barcelona would want to continue winning ways, maintaining the crucial lead at the tabletop position.

FC Barcelona Team news

While the Blaugrana club utilized its full-strength lineup in the last two fixtures, it is expected that Hansi Flick might exercise his rotation policy against Espanyol. As reports suggest, superstar midfield trio Dani Olmo, de Jong, and Gavi would get significant playing time in the home fixture, with the first two having decent chances of making it into the starting XI.

Moreover, the fixture could see the Blaugrana club move a step closer to their full-strength squad as ace pivot Eric Garcia hopes to be available. Although FC Barcelona lacks the absence of star defenders Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen, alongside forward Ferran Torres, for the fixture, the club fans would hope for the available players to give it their best, ensuring another home win for the side.

Predicted FC Barcelona lineup Vs Real Madrid (4-2-1-3 formation): Inaki Pena; Kounde, Cubarsi, I Martinez, Balde; de Jong, Pedri; Dani Olmo; Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha

Espanyol Team news

Gonzalez-led Espanyol, coming on the back of a brilliant Copa Del win, are expected to receive a massive boost as Jose Gragera is expected to return for them ahead of the crucial derby fixture against FC Barcelona. However, while Gragera's return to midfield gives much promise, Pol Lozano remains in doubt, having faced muscular problems.

Apart from this, the club continues to miss the presence of midfield star Edu Exposito and defensive ace Fernando Calero for the fixture. Currently placed just above the relegation zone, RCD Espanyol would want to put in a tough fit against Hansi Flick's Barcelona in the much-awaited derby fixture.

Predicted Espanyol lineup Vs FC Barcelona (4-4-2 formation): Garcia; El Hilali, Kumbulla, Cabrera, Olivan; Tejero, Kral, Gragera, Carreras; Puado, Veliz

Scoreline Prediction

Considering the form of both the two clubs recently, FC Barcelona certainly enjoys a much fairer advantage in the fixture; however, they would need to put it their all yet again not to drop points at home. Given the way Hansi Flick's Barca has been performing, putting 4 or even more goals past Espanyol while maintaining a clean sheet shouldn't be difficult. Thus, a scoreline of 4-0 could be a reasonable prediction for the upcoming derby clash.