Espanyol vs FC Barcelona La Liga | Predictions | Alignments | Key statistics and betting tips

Prediction – Espanyol 1 – 1 FC Barcelona

Recent form

As Espanyol and FC Barcelona prepare to meet at the RCDE Stadium, the momentum behind this La Liga clash paints a picture of contrasting fortunes for the two Catalan rivals. Espanyol’s recent form has been inconsistent, with a run of results in their last five league games. They secured wins against Rayo Vallecano and Sevilla, both with a 2-1 lead when playing at home. However, their form away from home has been less encouraging, with narrow defeats to Athletic Club, Getafe and Celta Vigo all by a single goal. This pattern indicates a team that struggles to prevail on the road but can find resilience and success when playing in front of their home crowd. On the other hand, FC Barcelona enters this match with a more positive trajectory. Despite the setback against Villarreal, where they lost 2-0, Barcelona have shown great offensive ability in their last home games. They have secured comfortable wins over Osasuna, Atlético de Madrid and Deportivo Alavés, scoring three goals in each of those encounters. Even their high-scoring defeat to Real Betis, a 5-3 thriller, showcases their offensive capabilities, while highlighting potential defensive vulnerabilities. The head-to-head record is not available, but on current form, FC Barcelona seems to have the upper hand, especially given their prolific goalscoring form. However, Espanyol’s ability to produce strong performances at home adds an intriguing layer to this contest, suggesting they could pose a significant challenge to their illustrious neighbours.

Espanyol Last 5 league games

Espanyol’s recent La Liga performances reflect a team that has been struggling to find consistency, with a run of results in their last five games. They secured a tight 2-1 win against Sevilla at home, showing resilience despite dominating possession and the corner count. This victory was characterized by a strong defensive effort and effective counter-attacks, as highlighted by his two assists against a Sevilla who were more in possession. However, Espanyol’s inability to control possession, as seen in the Sevilla game, remains a recurring theme, with the team often seeing less of the ball, evident in their average possession in these games. In away games against Athletic Club, Getafe and Celta Vigo, Espanyol suffered defeats, each by a single goal. These matches further illustrate Espanyol’s struggles to dominate the game as they often conceded possession and failed to convert their limited chances. Despite a commendable defensive set-up, the lack of offensive firepower has been a major problem as the team has failed to score in three of those five matches. The reliance on counter-attacks and set pieces as the main modes of threat underlines the team’s tactical approach in the current circumstances. The absence of Charles Pickel, due to national team commitments, may alter Espanyol’s midfield dynamic slightly, potentially affecting their ability to break down opposition play and transition effectively. The expected line-up indicates a solid defensive base with players like Leandro Cabrera and Fernando Calero, backed by the experience of Manuel Iori in goal. The midfield, with Edu Expósito and Pol Lozano, will have to step up to control the pace and support the lone striker Roberto Fernández. Overall, Espanyol’s likely approach in their next match at the RCDE Stadium will be to maintain a compact defensive structure, looking to capitalize on any opportunities on the break. The key to their success will be improving their efficiency in front of goal and maintaining discipline, especially given their recent history of accumulating yellow cards. The team’s ability to adapt and capitalize on their few chances will be crucial as they look to pick up valuable points and climb the league table.

FC Barcelona Last 5 League matches

FC Barcelona’s recent performances in La Liga reveal a team with a dynamic offensive ability, but also sometimes vulnerable defensively. In the last five matches, Barcelona achieved three wins and two losses, with a remarkable style of play with great possession. Their dominance in ball control is evident, as seen in the matches against Villarreal and Osasuna, where they maintained possession percentages of 79% and 80%, respectively. This ability to control the game allows Barcelona to dictate the game, creating numerous scoring chances, as evidenced by their impressive corners in these games, especially the 14 corners against Osasuna. However, Barcelona’s defensive frailties were exposed in their 5-3 loss to Real Betis, showing that while they can score consistently, they are also capable of conceding goals. The absence of key defenders Andreas Christensen and Jules Koundé due to injury could further exacerbate these defensive vulnerabilities. With Christensen recovering from a torn ligament and Koundé out with a hamstring injury, Barcelona’s back line may lack the stability and experience needed to defend against powerful attacks. The projected lineup suggests a mix of youth and experience, especially with emerging talents like Alejandro Balde and Lamine Yamal expected to feature prominently. The midfield, anchored by Frenkie de Jong, remains a crucial component of Barcelona’s strategy, responsible for maintaining possession and linking the game between defense and attack. Meanwhile, Ferran Torres, as a front-line attacker, is expected to capitalize on the team’s creative output. Overall, Barcelona’s focus in the upcoming match at RCDE Stadium will likely be to exploit their strengths in possession and offensive prowess while addressing defensive concerns. Securing a cohesive defensive strategy in the absence of Christensen and Koundé will be critical to maintaining their competitive edge in La Liga.

Team news and injuries

Espanyol’s injuries and suspensions

• Charles Pickel (Called up to the national team)

FC Barcelona injuries and suspensions

• Andreas Christensen (Ligament Injury) Jules Koundé (Hamstring Injury)

Head-to-head (H2H) registration and summary.

H2H Last 5

Detailed H2H analysis

The head-to-head records between Espanyol and FC Barcelona reveal a historically dynamic rivalry, characterized by fluctuating match patterns and competitive intensity. In particular, possession statistics in recent games have shown a marked disparity, with Barcelona consistently dominating the ball in most games. In three of the last five meetings, Barcelona have maintained more than 70% of possession, a fact that highlights their control and strategic dominance on the field. Conversely, Espanyol have shown resilience in set-piece situations, often securing more corners in games where they have had a higher percentage of possession. Despite Barcelona’s possession advantage, Espanyol’s tactical adaptations have allowed them to challenge Barcelona in several facets of the game, evident in their ability to win a comparable number of free kicks and occasionally outscore Barcelona in assists, as seen in some matches. However, the upcoming encounter will likely be influenced by injuries and significant absences from both sides. For Espanyol, the absence of Charles Pickel due to national team duties may affect their depth in midfield, potentially disrupting their transition game. Barcelona, ​​on the other hand, face challenges with key defensive absences as Andreas Christensen and Jules Koundé are unavailable through injury. This could provide Espanyol with opportunities to exploit Barcelona’s defensive vulnerabilities, especially with their expected line-up including Ferran Torres as the lone striker. The absence of experienced defenders in Barcelona’s lineup could force them to rely heavily on the midfield to maintain control and protect the defense from Espanyol’s attacking maneuvers. Ultimately, while historical patterns suggest Barcelona’s dominance, current lineup configurations and injuries may create a more balanced and unpredictable match, giving Espanyol a potential advantage to disrupt Barcelona’s usual strategies.

Expected lineups

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Players: Manuel Iori (Goalkeeper), Fernando Calero (Defender), Leandro Cabrera (Defender), Carlos Romero (Defender), Omar El Hilali (Defender), Urko González de Zárate (Midfielder), Edu Expósito (Midfielder), Pol Lozano (Midfielder), Pere Milla (Midfielder), Roberto Fernández (Midfielder), Tyrhytta Dolan (Midfielder), Roberto Fernández (Midfielder)

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Players: Joan García (Goalkeeper), Alejandro Balde (Defender), Pau Cubarsí (Defender), Gerard Martín (Defender), TBC (Defender), Lamine Yamal (Midfielder), Raphinha (Midfielder), Fermín López (Midfielder), Frenkie de Jong (Midfielder), Eric García (Midfielder), Eric García (Midfielder), Eric García (Midfielder)