Verdict: Robert Lewandowski to attain the primary aim

Greatest Odds: 3/1

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Seeking to lengthen their buffer on the prime of the La Liga desk on Sunday afternoon, Barcelona will welcome native rivals Espanyol to the Nou Camp.

Barcelona

Beginning with the hosts, whereas some may need been shocked over the summer season as Hansi Flick arrived in Catalonia, Barcelona have launched into a sensational rise below the German tactician. Laying down what was a well-known El Clasico marker final weekend as they stormed their method to a 4-0 romp away at arch-rivals Actual Madrid, the temper of their camp is at a red-hot excessive. Marking their return from October’s worldwide break with a 5-1 victory at dwelling towards Sevilla, the Spanish giants at the moment maintain a commanding six-point buffer on the prime of the La Liga desk. Likewise, accumulating one other heavyweight scalp final week as they clinched a 4-1 win towards Bayern Munich, Barca are using a shocking wave of momentum. Already placing 30 factors on the board, there isn’t a doubt that Flick’s high-flying squad can be smelling one other golden alternative right here.

Crew Information

Sustaining what was a long-term knee damage final month, Barcelona are anticipated to be with out German shot-stopper Marc-Andre her Stegen for the rest of the season. Likewise, but to make a single look throughout any competitors up to now this season, Ronald Araujo stays on the sidelines.

Bagging a sensational El Clasico brace within the capital final weekend and already registering 14 La Liga targets, Robert Lewandowski can be seeking to lengthen on his tally right here. Making an actual affect this season, 17-year-old Pau Cubarsi will begin on the coronary heart of Flick’s defence.

Espanyol

As for the guests, whereas Espanyol may need secured a La Liga return for this season, Manolo Gonzalez’s facet have struggled to cope with the drastic step up in school. Placing in one other downbeat efficiency final weekend as they fell to a 2-0 loss at dwelling towards Sevilla, the Parakeets are pencilled in as a number one relegation contender this 12 months. Marking their return from October’s worldwide break with a 4-1 drumming by the hands of Athletic Bilbao, Sunday’s friends are desperately in search of some sort of increase. Signing off September with a toothless 1-0 loss towards Actual Betis, Espanyol have come crashing again all the way down to earth since their September flurry. In truth, Gonzalez’s males have misplaced 5 of their earlier six La Liga appearances. Exhibiting some evident defensive struggles, the Parakeets have a monumental problem on their palms right here.

Crew Information

But to make a single La Liga look up to now this season, former Eibar midfielder Exposito stays on the sidelines. Likewise, solely getting a handful of minutes below his belt since arriving from Dutch outfit Twente over the summer season, Turkish teen Naci Unuvar is not going to characteristic on Sunday afternoon.

One-time West Ham loanee Alex Kral will begin on the coronary heart of Espanyol’s midfield and accomplice academy graduate Pol Lozano. Recording from a minor knock towards Sevilla final weekend, Javi Puado will lead Gonzalez’s assault and look to report a fourth La Liga targets of the season.

Key Elements to Contemplate

• When Barcelona and Espanyol final met again in Might 2023, Sunday’s hosts collected an action-packed 4-2 win on the RCDE Stadium.
• Barcelona are unbeaten in all of their earlier 11 straight conferences towards their Catalonia rivals throughout all competitions.
• Barca have gained 10 of their first 11 La Liga appearances up to now this season.
• Espanyol have misplaced 5 of their earlier six showdowns towards La Liga opposition.
• Polish record-breaker Robert Lewandowski has recorded 14 targets in his first 11 La Liga appearances this season.

Conclusion

Storming their method to an iconic 4-0 romp away at arch-rivals Actual Madrid final weekend, Barcelona are within the midst of what has develop into an iconic purple patch. Holding a six-point buffer on the prime of the La Liga desk, Sunday’s hosts can be assured of laying down one other marker in Catalonia. Claiming an action-packed 4-2 win after they meet their native rivals again in Might 2023, they maintain a dominant report towards Espanyol. With the Parakeets dropping 5 of their earlier six La Liga showdowns, it’s no shock that Barca are pencilled in as a landslide contender this weekend.

Verdict: Robert Lewandowski to attain the primary aim

Greatest Odds: 3/1

Bookmaker: Dachbet