Preview for Espanyol v Barcelona
Victory for Barcelona in opposition to Espanyol on the Estadi RCDE on Thursday might be sufficient for them to reclaim the crown they misplaced to Actual Madrid final season and full the home league and cup double.
It could additionally go some technique to making up for the frustration of their Champions League exit to Inter Milan final week.
Hansi Flick is often a coach who’s open to talking to the media however his press convention was brief on element and clues as to how he’ll arrange his aspect tomorrow evening.
What he did say, nevertheless, was that Barca have full respect for an Espanyol aspect that gave the impression to be pulling away from the relegation zone just for three successive defeats to tug them again into the mire.
Manolo Gonzalez’s aspect are 5 factors away from the drop zone with three video games remaining, the final of which sees them host fellow strugglers Las Palmas on the ultimate day.
Flick mentioned:”Espanyol have improved rather a lot within the second half [of the season], with new gamers and a transparent type. We’ve got to be centered and present that we wish to win.”
If Barca can repeat their efficiency from the weekend win in the Clasico then they must be superb.
They trailed 2-0 inside quarter-hour however roared again to win 4-3 and put themselves in pole place within the title race. There have been wild celebrations on the remaining whistle however Flick hinted there is probably not a repeat of that in the event that they clinch the title tomorrow.
He mentioned: “I don’t assume it’s a good suggestion to speak or take into consideration celebrations earlier than the sport. You must give attention to the sport.
“Issues are accomplished with respect. We’ve got to battle for the three factors after which we’ll do what is true.”
Gonzalez is assured his gamers will put up an excellent battle and he hopes they will replicate their dwelling win over Madrid in February.
“What we care about is profitable for ourselves,” he mentioned. “We wish to play a fantastic recreation once more like we did in opposition to Villarreal and Betis although we didn’t win.
“We had been in a position to beat Actual Madrid in the perfect second of their season and we can have that intention. If we compete as we should always, we’ll make it tough for any group that comes right here.”
🎙️ HANSI FLICK: “For us, an important factor is to be centered on our match tomorrow.” #EspanyolBarça pic.twitter.com/rPCMDGzBdC
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 14, 2025
Workforce Information for Espanyol v Barcelona
Barcelona must discover a substitute for Inigo Martinez who’s suspended.
Andreas Christensen or Ronald Araujo will deputise with the Uruguayan hoping to get the nod and produce an excellent efficiency after receiving loads of criticism for his show at San Siro.
Robert Lewandowski will return in assault with Ferran Torres present process an operation for appendicitis.
Espanyol will hope midfielder Pol Lozano is accessible match after lacking the weekend defeat at Leganes.
Predicted line-ups for Espanyol v Barcelona
Espanyol: Garcia; Carreras, Calero, Kumbulla, Cabrera, Romero; Exposito, Gonzalez, Kral, Puado; Fernandez
Barcelona: Szczesny; Garcia, Cubarsi, Araujo, Martin; De Jong, Pedri, Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Find out how to watch Espanyol v Barcelona: TV and on-line stream
Espanyol versus Barcelona kicks off at 8.30pm UK time tomorrow evening. It’s obtainable to look at on Premier Sports activities 1 and streamed by way of the Liga app.
🔜 #EspanyolBarça pic.twitter.com/qTSL7p2t1C
— RCD Espanyol de Barcelona (@RCDEspanyol) May 13, 2025
Stats for Espanyol v Barcelona
- Espanyol haven’t received any of their earlier 10 conferences with Barcelona
- There have been 3 or extra objectives scored in every of Barcelona’s final 5 video games
- Barcelona have conceded the primary objective of the sport of their final 4 video games
Prediction for Espanyol v Barcelona
Powerful one to foretell given Barcelona’s ranges of motivation will rely upon whether or not they have already secured the title by the point the sport kicks off.
However, assuming Madrid do what they should do tonight, Barca might be at full tilt and that must be an excessive amount of for Espanyol.
Prediction: Espanyol 0-2 Barcelona
