PREVIEW | Espanyol vs Barcelona - team news, lineups, predictions

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·1 January 2026

PREVIEW | Espanyol vs Barcelona - team news, lineups, predictions

Espanyol and Barcelona face off this Saturday at the RCDE Stadium in La Liga.

In the highly anticipated La Liga clash between Espanyol and Barcelona, fans are expecting an intense battle as both sides look to secure crucial points. Barcelona will be without a couple of key players due to injury, while Espanyol hope to take advantage of home support and disrupt their rivals’ rhythm.

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With tactical battles across the pitch and key players making the difference in midfield and attack, this match could go either way — and even those betting through cashlib casinos are predicting a tight, exciting encounter full of moments that could decide the outcome.

Espanyol have 33 points to their name this season and occupy 5th position in the table. In their last fixture, Manolo González's team won 1-2 against Athletic Bilbao (La Liga 2025/26).

Barcelona have picked up 43 points and currently lie in 1st position. In their last game, Hans-Dieter Flick's team won 0-2 against Villarreal (La Liga 2025/26).

The last meeting between the two teams ended with Barcelona winning 2-0.

Predicted lineups

Espanyol: Marko Dmitrović, Omar El Hilali, Leandro Cabrera, Fernando Calero, Carlos Romero, Pol Lozano, Urko González, Tyrhys Dolan, Edu Expósito, Pere Milla, Roberto Fernández

Barcelona: Joan Garcia, Jules Koundé, Pau Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, Álex Baldé, Eric García, Pedri González, Lamine Yamal, Fermín López, Raphinha, Ferrán Torres

Unavailable

Espanyol

Barcelona

Andreas Christensen - Ligament Tear
Pablo Gavi - Arthroscopy

Last starting XIs

Espanyol ( vs Athletic Bilbao 2025-12-22): Marko Dmitrović, Omar El Hilali, Fernando Calero, Leandro Cabrera, Carlos Romero, Pol Lozano, Urko González, Tyrhys Dolan, Edu Expósito, Pere Milla, Roberto Fernández

Barcelona ( vs Villarreal 2025-12-21): Joan Garcia, Jules Koundé, Gerard Martín, Pau Cubarsí, Álex Baldé, Frenkie de Jong, Eric García, Lamine Yamal, Fermín López, Raphinha, Ferrán Torres

Did you know...by playmaker stats

MANAGERS

Manolo González faced Hans-Dieter Flick on two occasions, recording only defeats.
Hans-Dieter Flick faced Espanyol on two occasions, recording only victories.
Manolo González faced Barcelona on two occasions, recording only defeats.

TEAMS

Away from home, Barcelona currently has one defeat in the last six games.
Away from home, Barcelona comes from three consecutive games scoring goals.
Away from home, Barcelona comes from three consecutive games without losing.
Away from home, Barcelona comes from three consecutive victories.
Barcelona currently has one defeat in the last 12 games.
Barcelona currently has one draw in the last 22 games.
Barcelona comes from seven consecutive games scoring goals.
Barcelona comes from seven consecutive games without losing.
Barcelona comes from seven consecutive victories.
At home, Espanyol currently has two defeats in the last nine games.
At home, Espanyol comes from two consecutive games without losing.
At home, Espanyol comes from two consecutive victories.
Espanyol currently has one defeat in the last six games.
Espanyol currently has one draw in the last 13 games.
Espanyol comes from three consecutive games scoring goals.
Espanyol comes from three consecutive games without losing.
Espanyol comes from three consecutive victories.

HEAD TO HEAD

Espanyol and Barcelona have faced each other 215 times, with Barcelona having the advantage: 125 victories, against 44 victories for Espanyol.
At the RCDE Stadium, Barcelona has the advantage in clashes against Espanyol: 42 victories in 107 matches. Espanyol has 32 victories.
In the Spanish League, there have been 178 matches between the two teams, with Espanyol winning 34, 40 draws and 104 victories for Barcelona.