Espanyol vs Barcelona preview

March 28, 2014
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Barca vs EspanyolNinth-placed Espanyol will be looking to put a dent into Barcelona’s title hopes when they face their arch rivals in El Derbi Barceloni at Cornella El Prat.

The Catalans, on the other hand, are hoping to build on El Clasico triumph and put extra pressure on La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid by winning this tie.

In spite of serious financial problems, Espanyol have all but secured La Liga survival with eight games to go, which has got to be considered a success.

The 2-1 triumph over relegation-threatened Malaga saw los Periquitos create a 12-point advantage over the bottom three, meaning they are in for a calm finish of the season.

Nevertheless, having climbed to ninth place in the league standings, Espanyol will want to remain in the top half come end of the season, but it is not as if they need extra incentives to give their best in El Derbi Barceloni.

And having failed to win any of last seven home games against their local rivals, los Periquitos again face a very difficult task.

However, seeing as how they go into the game in good spirits, there may be value in backing them to score at 1.70 (7/10).

Javier Aguirre has doubts over the fitness of David Lopez, who battles an ankle problem, but Jhon Cordoba and Abraham should be fit to play.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Casilla – J. Lopez, Sidnei, Moreno, Fuentes – V. Sanchez, D. Lopez – Stuani, Garcia, Pizzi – Cordoba.

Following the shock defeats to Real Sociedad and Real Valladolid, it looked as though Barcelona would not be able to defend the league title, but things have changed considerably since.

Back to back triumphs over Manchester City and Osasuna ensured the Catalans enter the El Clasico derby in confident mood, and they did really well to twice come from a goal behind and record an invaluable win.

And with Real Madrid suffering another slip up in midweek, Barcelona climbed over los Blancos in the league standings with a 3-0 victory over Celta Vigo, but they remain one point behind leaders Atletico.

Tata Martino’s charges will have to successfully negotiate the local derby against Espanyol if they are to keep their title hopes alive, with away win paying 1.36 (4/11).

The victory over Celta Vigo came at a price as Victor Valdes suffered a knee ligament injury, meaning Jose Manuel Pinto will take over in the remainder of the season.

Andres Iniesta has resumed full training after recovering from a thigh problem, but Carles Puyol and Jonathan Dos Santos are unavailable.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Pinto – Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba – Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta – Pedro, Messi, Neymar.

We Highly Recommend These Places
Share your Opinion!