One team is playing to clinch the league title. The other is playing to stay alive in La Liga. As if the Catalan Derby doesn't get fiery enough when nothing but pride is what's at stake.
FC Barcelona have had an outstanding domestic season,setting new records with each game. Coming off a bit of a rough patch last month, they've had consecutive home wins against Betis and Osasuna and are a win away from clinching the league title. This should give them enough confidence as they travel to enemy territory.
Espanyol however, have contrasting fortunes. They sit at 19th, having endured a shambolic season in all competitions and stare relegation in the face. They'll have to play out of their skins to survive, and would've preferred not to play Barcelona in such a moment. This is a derby, however. A clash that has had 2 draws in the last 3 meetings. They have every reason to leave it all on that field. Whether that'll be enough will be known soon.
INTERESTING STATS
-Barcelona have a good recent record against Espanyol and have won 36 out of the last 61 matches played between the two teams, as opposed to Espanyol's six victories.
-Espanyol are winless in their last 25 matches against Barcelona in La Liga - the longest winless streak by any team in a regional derby in the competition.
-Barcelona are unbeaten in their last 14 games away from home against Espanyol in La Liga, with their previous such defeat in the competition coming in 2007.
-Barcelona have recorded 101 victories in 175 matches against Espanyol in La Liga - only Real Madrid have a better record against the hosts, with 107 victories.
-Barcelona are winless in their last two matches away from home in La Liga and could endure a streak of three such games in a row for the first time under Xavi.
Last five meetings
31/12/22 (LIGA) Barça 1 (Alonso) Espanyol 1
13/02/22 (LIGA) Espanyol 2 Barça 2 (Pedri. Luuk de Jong)
20/11/21 (LIGA) Barça 1 (Memphis) Espanyol 0
08/07/20 (LIGA) Barça 1 (L Suárez) Espanyol 0
04/01/20 (LIGA) Espanyol 2 Barça 2 (L Suárez, A Vidal)
TEAM NEWS
Espanyol
Luis Garcia will be without the services of Jose Gragera, who is out injured. Meanwhile, Espanyol do have a major boost as former Barcelona striker Martin Braithwaite is all set to return to the squad.
Fernando Pacheco will start in the goal. Oscar Gil and Brian Olivan will be the wing-backs. Cesar Montes, Sergi Gomez and Leandro Cabrera will be the three central defenders. Denis Suarez, Sergi Darder and Javi Puado will take charge in the centre of the park. Meanwhile, Braithwaite is likely to pair up with Joselu in attack.
Barcelona
For the first time in a long while, Xavi has a fully fit squad at his disposal as Sergi Roberto has been declared fit for the clash. The coach has also confirmed that Dembele is 100% ready to start, so we may see Barça roll out their Gala XI for the first time since the Supercup final.
TerStegen in goal, Koundé, Araujo, Christensen and Balde in defense. Pedri, Gavi, Frenkie and Busquets, who'll be playing his last Catalan derby, will be in midfield. Robert Lewandowski and Ousmane Dembele will round up the attack, with Pedri/Gavi supporting them from the left.
Where are Espanyol vs Barcelona playing?
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Stadium: RCDE Stadium
Date: Sunday 14 May
Kick-off Time: 20:00 BST / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
Referee: Ricardo De Burgos
This has the potential to be one for the history books. Espanyol will leave blood, sweat and tears on the field, but Barcelona have everything they need to win this derby and clinch their first League title in 3 years.
No comments:
Post a Comment