Espanyol vs Barcelona Prediction, Preview, Predicted Lineups and Team News | La Liga, 2025

Espanyol vs Barcelona Preview

• Tournament: La Liga
• Date: Thursday, 15 May, 2025
• Kick-Off Time: 19:30 PM GMT
• Venue: RCDE Stadium, Catalonia

Barcelona look to seal the 2024/25 La Liga title when they face off against city-rivals Espanyol in what is guaranteed to be a heated clash. The Espanyol vs Barcelona clash will take place at the RCDE Stadium on 15 May 2025 at 19:30 PM GMT.

Espanyol are looking to get as far away from the La Liga relegation zone as possible and are currently in the 14th position with 39 points from 35 games. They have won two of their last five league games and have a decent distance from the relegation places, having won seven of their 16 home games.

That means Manolo Gonzalez's team's primary objective will be to try and ruin Barcelona title charge. They will be looking to frustrate the Blaugrana by maintaining a stubborn defensve shape and play some aggressive, physical football. They'll also look to be clinical on the counter-attacks and swift-breaks to surprise the league leaders and pull off a special derby result.

Barcelona are currently focused on securing the La Liga title after their recent elimination from the UEFA Champions League in the semifinals. The Blaugrana have won three of their last five competitive matches, and are in first place in La Liga with 82 points from 35 games.

Hansi Flick is determined to win the league title in his first season and will work hardest to ensure his players have no slip-ups. He'll want them to continue their ruthless, unpredictable attacking style under him. While Barcelona will need to be defensively more alert to neutralize Espanyol's threat, Flick will prioritize attack over defence and hope his explosive frontline can get the job done with a dominant win.

Espanyol Team News

Manolo Gonzalez is going to be without his midfielder Jose Gregera. The 24-year-old sustained a toe injury earlier in the 2024/25 season. He's still unavailable and healing from that issue. Full-back Brian Olivan is another doubt because of a foot injury issue.

Barcelona Team News

Hansi Flick is still missing some important first-team players because of injuries. Jules Kounde is expected to miss this game as he recovers from a hamstring injury sustained in the Champions League semifinal against Inter Milan. Pablo Torre (knee) and Marc Bernal (knee) are also out with injury problems.

Espanyol vs Barcelona Predicted Lineups

Espanyol Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):

Goalkeeper: Joan Garcia

Defenders: Omar El Hilali, Marash Kumbulla, Leandro Cabrera, Carlos Romero

Midfielders: Urko Gonzalez, Alex Kral, Edu Exposito

Forwards: Antoniu Roca, Javier Puado, Roberto Fernandez

Barcelona Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):

Goalkeeper: Marc-Andre ter Stegen

Defenders: Eric Garcia, Inigo Martinez, Pau Cubarsi, Alejandro Balde

Midfielders: Marc Casado, Pedri, Gavi

Forwards: Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Ferran Torres

Espanyol vs Barcelona Head-to-Head Record

These two Catalan teams have faced each other on 217 occasions in the past. Out of that, Barcelona have won 127 games and Espanyol have won 44 times. In the last four matches between the two, Barcelona have won three games and two games have been drawn.

Key Players to Watch in Espanyol vs Barcelona

Joan Garcia (Espanyol)

Joan Garcia has been one of the best goalkeepers in the 2024/25 La Liga acmpaign, keeping seven clean sheets in 34 games. He's prevented 10.08 goals in the league and made 134 saves, being a proactive presence in Espanyol's goal.

Garcia will need to be at the top of his game to really frustrate Barcelona in the derby. That means he needs to be alert to the shots on goal and be razor-sharp with his reflexes to make clutch saves and help his get grind out a positive result with his shot-stopping ability.

Raphinha (Barcelona)

Raphinha has been Mr. Clutch for Barcelona in the 2024/25 campaign, scoring 18 goals in the league and just about underperforming his 19.05 xG (expected goals). He has maintained a decent 17% goal conversion rate in La Liga and will need to be at his decisive best to help his side get a big win over their rivals.

Raphinha needs to be clever with his movement and link-up play to help create some beautiful attacking chances. While he will be tasked to be accurate with his final passes, Flick will want Raphinha in the goal-scoring positions and for the Brazilian to put away chances emphatically to give his side a big win.

Espanyol vs Barcelona Prediction

Even though these two sides are in different spectrums of the La Liga table, the Catalan derby between the two rivals are always intense, dramatic affairs. This should be quite similar, in producing a number of memorable moments and some controversy.

Despite Espanyol having a decent home record and being defensively sound, they're likely to be overwhelmed by the attacking might of Barcelona. Both sides should have their chances to score, but the Blaugrana's ruthlessness in the attack should give them a key advantage to clinch the derby.

Predicted Score: Espanyol 1-2 Barcelona

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