Barcelona can win their 28th La Liga title with a win over Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium on Thursday night. They are seven points clear of Real Madrid and have three games to go. Espanyol are fighting to stay up, 16th and five points above the relegation zone after losing their last three league games.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Espanyol
- Out: Brian Olivan
- Boosts: Pol Lozano returns from injury; Omar El Hilali is back from suspension
- Likely XI (4-2-3-1): Garcia; El Hilali, Kumbulla, Cabrera, Romero; Gonzalez, Lozano; Roca, Expósito, Puado; Fernández
Espanyol may go with a back four with Joan Garcia in goal. Javi Puado, their top scorer with 11 goals, will lead the line, with Roberto Fernandez and Jofre Carreras on the flanks.
Barcelona
- Out: Jules Kounde, Marc Casado, Marc Bernal, Pablo Torre
- Suspended: Inigo Martinez
- Doubt: Robert Lewandowski (hamstring)
- Likely XI (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Garcia, Christensen, Cubarsi, Balde; Pedri, De Jong; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Torres
Hansi Flick will rotate slightly, with Robert Lewandowski unlikely to be risked. Ferran Torres will lead the line, with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha on the wings and Dani Olmo as the playmaker. Alejandro Balde and Eric Garcia will start as full-backs, while Andreas Christensen will partner Pau Cubarsi in central defence.
Key Stats
- Espanyol have lost their last three league games and have just one point from their last four.
- The hosts have only lost once in their last 11 home league matches, but that was their last game at the RCDE Stadium.
- Espanyol are winless in their last ten games against Barcelona.
- Barcelona have scored three or more goals in six of their last ten matches in all competitions.
- Barcelona have the best attack in La Liga with 95 goals in 35 games.
- Espanyol’s last win over Barcelona was in February 2009.
Player to Watch: Ferran Torres
With limited minutes, Torres has 19 goals and 7 assists in 45 games this season, a goal every 101 minutes. With Lewandowski likely to be out, Torres will be the key to breaking Espanyol’s defence and could be the difference maker in winning the title.
Espanyol vs Barcelona Prediction
Espanyol have been poor in recent form, and while they are stronger at home, Barcelona’s attack and motivation to win the title should be too much. Flick’s side will dominate possession and create plenty of chances, with Yamal and Raphinha to be heavily involved.
Espanyol 0-2 Barcelona
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