The club from “RCDE Stadium,” having returned in 2024 after a year in the Segunda, initially finished 14th with 42 points. This season, they have made significant progress and are holding a spot in the European competition zone. However, they were eliminated from the Copa del Rey by modest Atlético Baleares. In the previous round, they managed to defeat a potential rival, Athletic, even away from home, with a 2-1 victory.
Their neighbor, under Flick last season, regained its status as a powerhouse, winning the Super Cup, La Liga, and Copa del Rey in succession. This season has had its challenges, but they managed to end 2024 having virtually guaranteed a place in the Champions League playoffs and reclaimed their leading status domestically. They finished December with a 2-0 away win over Villarreal.
Kike García and company, with an average of 1.29 goals scored per match, concede about one per game. The champion scores an average of 2.83 goals and concedes 1.11.
Espanyol have won five of their last six matches
47% of Espanyol’s matches end with both teams scoring and the average total goals per match is 2.29
Barcelona have won nine of their last ten matches
67% of Barcelona’s matches end with both teams scoring and the average total goals per match is 3.94.
Espanyol (possible lineup): Dmitrović – Romero, Cabrera, Calero, El Hilali – Milla, Expósito, U. González, Carreras – Kike García, Fernández.
Barcelona (possible lineup): García – Balde, Martín, Cubarsí, Koundé – Eric García, de Jong, Raphinha, Fermín López, Yamal – Ferran Torres.
Since 2009, Espanyol has beaten their neighbor only once, and that was in the cup. All of the last three meetings have been won by Raphinha and company.
