Espanyol vs Barcelona predictions and match preview for Sunday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for expert analysis, the head-to-head, team news and predicted lineups ahead of this Catalan derby clash.
| Date | Sunday 13th February 2022 |
| Kick-Off | 21:00 (local time) |
| Stadium | RCDE Stadium |
| Competition | LaLiga |
Espanyol vs Barcelona Preview
It’s derby day in Catalonia this weekend as Barcelona travel to the RCDE Stadium. They are bidding to complete the double over their local rivals having won the reverse fixture 1-0 at Camp Nou in what was Xavi’s first game in charge.
Espanyol had plenty of chances that night to come away with at least a point and while Barcelona are improving, they’ll still sense this is an opportunity to get a rare victory over their illustrious neighbours. Vicente Moreno’s side have been strong at home this term, winning over half of their league games at the RCDE Stadium but they come into this fixture in the midst of a genuine slump in form.
It’s not worrying enough yet to push them towards relegation danger but a return of just 1 point from 4 league games so far in 2022 is a cause for concern. Defensively they have been poor, letting in 10 goals in those fixtures and they’ve gone 12 games without a clean sheet in all competitions, a run which includes fixtures against some genuine minnows in the Copa del Rey.
That’s something Barcelona will be looking to exploit and if they can be as clinical in front of goal this weekend as they were last, this is a game they ought to win. Xavi’s side scored with all of their 4 shots on target against Atletico Madrid last weekend in what felt like a statement victory as new signings including the impressive Adama Traore made their mark.
This does have the feel of a new era now for Barcelona and while there will be setbacks along the way, they are well placed to secure their immediate and vitally important short-term aim of Champions League qualification. A 7 game unbeaten streak has helped push the Catalan giants up to 4th place and just as importantly, there is something of a feel-good factor returning to the club after a miserable couple of years on and off the pitch.
Head to Head
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 4 Barcelona Wins, 2 Draws.
- Barcelona have only won 1 of their last 4 visits to the RCDE Stadium.
- That was a 4-0 triumph in December 2018.
- They won the reverse fixture 1-0 earlier this term.
Team News
Raul De Tomas returns from a ban for the hosts. Oscar Gil is suspended.
Dani Alves is suspended for Barcelona. Eric Garcia is a doubt while Ansu Fati, Memphis, Clement Lenglet, Sergi Roberto and Samuel Umtiti are out injured.
Possible Lineups
Espanyol vs Barcelona Predictions
Score Prediction: Espanyol 2-2 Barcelona
This could be a good one with both sides better going forwards than they are defensively. Barcelona still have some notable absentees and aren’t quite at the kind of level where you’d immediately back them in this kind of fixture. Indeed a few months back, you’d have really fancied Espanyol with home advantage but they’ve been unconvincing of late and an entertaining score draw could be the outcome.
PLEASE NOTE – Our LaLiga predictions are not betting tips. No profits are guaranteed if you’re using them to bet on football. If you are gambling, do so responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose. BeGambleAware.
Mark Sochon is an experienced football writer and editor of LaLiga Expert. Based in Madrid, he has covered La Liga and Spanish football for many years. He also covers Spanish and European football for Goal and Betfred, while his work has previously been published by the Guardian and World Soccer.