FC Barcelona vs Espanyol Prediction, Preview, Lineups and Team News | La Liga, November 3, 2024

Preview

• Tournament: La Liga
• Date: Sunday, Nov 03
• Kick-off Time: 03:15 pm GMT
• Venue: Camp Nou, Spain

Espanyol will travel to Barcelona in their 12th game of the 2024/25 La Liga season at Camp Nou. The Blaugrana remain unbeaten on home soil this season and are coming off a thumping 4-0 win over Real Madrid in the last game.

Hosts Barcelona are one of the most successful teams in Europe and have not suffered a single home defeat since the arrival of Hansi Flick. They are six points ahead of bitter rivals Real Madrid and their attacking prowess has proved to be a nightmare for every opposing side. Flick’s men would like to increase their lead in the domestic table and are favorites to grab an easy three points.

Meanwhile, Espanyol had a drastic start to the new campaign as they are currently sitting 17th in the table, just one point above the relegation zone. Los Periquitos has sustained back-to-back defeats and given their poor away record, they would struggle against a dominant home side.

FC Barcelona Team News

Barcelona has a lengthy injury list, including Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Fermin Lopez, Dani Olmo, Marc Bernal, Andreas Christensen, Ronald Araujo and Gavi in the treatment room. The likes of Dani Olmo and Frenkie de Jong are pushing for starts.

Espanyol Team News

As for the visiting side, they only have a couple of injury doubts in defender Fernando Calero and midfielder Edu Exposito. The likes of Alex Kral, Joan Garcia and Alvaro Tejero are expected to return to the starting lineup.

FC Barcelona vs Espanyol Predicted Lineups

Barcelona predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Pena

Defenders: Kounde, Cubarsi, I Martinez, Balde

Midfielders: De Jong, Pedri

Forwards: Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha; Lewandowski

Espanyol predicted lineup: (4-4-2)

Goalkeeper: Garcia

Defenders: El Hilali, Kumbulla, Cabrera, Olivan

Midfielders: Tejero, Kral, Gragera, Carreras

Forwards: Puado, Veliz

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Head-to-Head Record

The two sides have faced off only 216 times in the past, with Barcelona winning 126 of those games. Espanyol has won only 44 ties between both sides, whereas the remaining 46 games ended in a draw.

Key Players to Watch in Barcelona vs Espanyol

Robert Lewandowski (FC Barcelona)

The FC Barcelona striker once again has made a robust start to the domestic campaign as he’s leading the La Liga charts with 14 goals to his name. Lewandowski has scored 17 goals and made two assists in 14 appearances across all competitions.

Alejo Veliz (Espanyol)

Argentine striker Alejo Veliz who joined the Catalan side on a season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur scored a hattrick in Espanyol’s recent tie against San Tirso in the Copa del Rey. He has initially struggled to make an impact in La Liga but is slowly finding his feet this season.

FC Barcelona vs Espanyol Prediction

Just like every season, Barcelona are expected to get an easy three points against the visitors this year. The Blaugrana are coming off a thumping 4-0 win over arch-rivals Real Madrid and are currently leading the La Liga standings by six points. The bookmakers have favoured the hosts to win this tie against Espanyol while maintaining their unbeaten record at home in the Spanish top flight.

As for Espanyol, they have made a disappointing start to the new domestic campaign and are sitting just a point above the relegation zone. The White and Blues secured a return to the Spanish top flight this season and have the joint-third-worst defensive record in the division.

Predicted Score: Barcelona 4-0 Espanyol

Also Read: Manchester United vs Chelsea Prediction, Preview, Lineups and Team News | Premier League, November 3, 2024

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