Barcelona vs Espanyol: Match preview | La Liga | OneFootball

Some big games await FC Barcelona up ahead, but they must first overcome Espanyol in La Liga. With a seven point lead at the top of the table, at the time of writing, La Blaugrana certainly want to keep things that way in terms of the point difference.

However, their local rivals will certainly be a tough opponent to deal with, and these derbies often come with unique complications. Moreover, it is likely that Hansi Flick ends up rotating his team as well.

Match details:

Match overview:

For context, the very next game right after this one is an all-important UEFA Champions League fixture against Atletico Madrid. Furthermore, it seems apparent enough that most of the team’s attention is still fixated on that crucial European clash.

Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images

That being said, this game against Espanyol should be considered equally important considering the fact that a major title is at stake. While it is always a good thing to have a sizeable lead in a league title race, it would be a big mistake to slip up at this point.

In terms of form, Barcelona have four wins and one loss in the last five games. The loss came in their most recent game against Atletico Madrid, and it is certainly a game that they will want to bounce back from and continue marching towards a potential league title.

As for their goal difference, they have scored 15 goals and conceded 7 goals in return across those five games. A positive difference, and it clearly shows that their offensive quality is as lethal as ever under Flick’s orders.

Espanyol, on the other hand, have been in abysmal form recently. With two losses and three draws in their last five games, they have clearly been struggling to win games and have likely settled for draws instead.

In terms of the goal numbers, they have scored 5 goals in their last five games while having conceded 7 goals in return. Poor numbers, and this poor run of form is exactly why it is not surprising to see them in 10th place right now in the league.

Ultimately, however, this game will be decided on the field. Fortunately, the home crowd will be backing Barcelona and Flick’s team definitely owes their fans a good performance after their showing against Atletico Madrid recently.