On Sunday night, Espanyol hosts Barcelona at the RCDE Stadium in a Catalan derby that could see the visitors crowned as La Liga champions.
Espanyol form guideThe home team are in 19th place in the Spanish top flight, three points adrift from the safety of 17th position in the table. A horrendous recent league run of eight defeats in their last ten matches in La Liga. A poor recent defensive record in the league has been the main factor in their lowly league position this season.
Los Periquitos have a recent poor home record, as they have won just two of their previous seven home games in the Spanish top flight. However, they ended a three-game winless run on home soil in La Liga by recording a 1-0 win over Getafe.
Barcelona form guideXavi Hernandez’s team is a win away from being crowned as Spanish champions for the first time since season 2018/19. The visitors head into this derby game on the back of three wins in their last four games in La Liga.
A 1-0 home win over Osasuna means that the Blaugrana kept their sixth clean sheet in their last seven matches in the Spanish top flight.
Barcelona have an inconsistent recent away record in La Liga, winning just two of their last five matches in the Spanish top flight on their travels. However, the champions-elect have kept three clean sheets in their previous four away games in La Liga.
Latest team newsEspanyol will likely be without Jose Gragera due to injury, but striker Martin Braithwaite will return from suspension to face his old employers. Meanwhile, Barcelona could be without Sergi Roberto through injury, while Gavi and Raphinha are also injury doubts.
What am I backing?I am backing Barcelona to record the victory they need to be crowned as Spanish champions for the 2022/23 season.