Barcelona may go 9 factors clear on the prime of La Liga this weekend in the event that they beat RCD Espanyol at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Sunday. Hansi Flick’s facet destroyed Actual Madrid in El Clasico final weekend to open up a six-point benefit and victory over Manolo Gonzalez’s males who occupy seventeenth within the rankings may stretch that with Los Blancos not in motion this weekend because of flash flooding in Valencia.
Barca are chasing their sixth consecutive win throughout all competitions coming into this one and the chance is ideal with Actual not in motion to whittle that lead down. The Blaugrana crushed Carlo Ancelotti’s facet 4-0 with Robert Lewandowski scoring twice simply days after smashing Bayern Munchen 4-1 within the UEFA Champions League.
Think about that Barca are unbeaten of their final 26 conferences with Espanyol with 102 wins from 176 video games in La Liga and the 27-time Spanish champions are robust favorites. The guests will likely be buoyed by two of their final three conferences ending as attracts however total the head-to-head document strongly favors the house facet for this one.
Espanyol went all the way down to Sevilla in La Liga final outing however beat San Tirso within the Copa del Rey in midweek to revive some confidence. Gonzalez’s facet have an enormous problem right here however a gathering with Valencia after this earlier than the November worldwide break ought to deliver an opportunity for factors with Girona their first opponents after the pause.
Listed here are our storylines, how one can watch the match and extra:
Tips on how to watch and odds
- Date: Sunday, November 3 | Time: 10:15 a.m. ET
- Location: Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys — Barcelona, Spain
- Watch: ESPN Deportes | Stream: Fubo (attempt without cost)
- Odds: Barca -1000; Draw +1000; Espanyol +2000
Story up to now
Barca have gained 10 of their 11 video games in La Liga up to now with 37 targets scored and can fancy themselves in opposition to Espanyol, Crvena Zvezda and Actual Sociedad earlier than the November internationals. Lewandowski’s gorgeous type continues with 17 targets whereas Raphinha has 10 targets and 9 assists with Lamine Yamal chipping in six extra targets and 7 assists. Espanyol had been promoted again to La Liga by way of the playoffs final 12 months and have 10 factors from 11 video games which locations them seventeenth within the standings. Gonzalez’s males have gained three and misplaced seven with only one draw and their 19 targets conceded within the third worst defensive document within the Spanish topflight.
Workforce information
Barca: Ferran Torres, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Marc Bernal, Andreas Christensen and Ronald Araujo are all out whereas Eric Garcia is a critical doubt. Flick ought to be capable to repeat his Actual choice roughly however Frenkie de Jong and Dani Olmo may begin. The pair may exchange Marc Casado and Fermin Lopez which signifies that Gavi may proceed his gradual return from the bench. Prolific trio Lewandowski, Yamal and Raphinha will proceed to guide the assault.
Potential Barca XI: Pena; Kounde, Cubarsi, I Martinez, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski.
Espanyol: Alejo Veliz is in competition after a midweek treble and will play alongside Javi Puado whereas Pol Lozano is predicted to overlook out though Jose Gragera ought to return after his absence. Fernando Calero and Edu Exposito stay out however Alex Kral, Joan Garcia and Alvaro Tejero needs to be reinstated after some midweek rotation.
Potential Espanyol XI: Garcia; El Hilali, Kumbulla, Cabrera, Olivan; Tejero, Kral, Gragera, Carreras; Puado, Veliz.
Prediction
This one needs to be simple sufficient for Barca with Espanyol unlikely to place up any actual resistance given how spectacular Flick’s males have been up to now. As the percentages counsel, even a draw can be spectacular for the guests so anticipate a two-goal successful margin for the Blaugrana. Decide: Barca 3, Espanyol 1.
