Barcelona look to continue their run against a point-hungry Espanyol

Published:2/11/2024 - 23:01h

Updated:3/11/2024 - 15:21h

The Catalan derby comes with opposite realities for Barça and Espanyol, which adds a touch of drama to one of the most traditional duels in the Spanish Football League

This Sunday, November 3, starting at 4:15 p.m., the Olympic Stadium of Montjuïc will be the scene of a new Catalan derby between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol. The match of the 12th round comes at a time of absolutely opposite realities for both teams.

Barça is presented as a solid leader of the championship, with a 6-point advantage over its closest pursuer, Real Madrid, who it beat 0-4 last round at the Santiago Bernabéu in a new exhibition by the culé team.

This result reinforced the confidence of the team led by Hansi Flick, who has found great strength in the scoring streak of its forwards. With players like Lewandowski, Raphina and Lamine Yamal in top form, the blaugranas have demonstrated high-level football and have become an offensive machine that has known how to resolve difficult matches with real force.

Espanyol will try to surprise Barça

In contrast, Espanyol are heading into this derby in a difficult situation. The “Pericos” are in 17th place in the table, just outside the relegation zone, with only 3 wins and 7 losses in 11 games.

Manolo González’s team has not managed to find the formula to consistently add points, and their defensive weakness has been evident in recent games. However, they know that these types of games always present unique opportunities and will look to spring a surprise against a Barcelona on a roll.

Barcelona is an offensive steamroller

For Espanyol, stopping the Catalans' offensive machine and getting a point at Montjuïc could be key to starting to turn their situation around and giving their squad a morale boost. Barça have scored 37 goals in 11 games, with an average of 3.3 goals per game. The 'parakeets', for their part, have scored 10 goals, far from the Blaugrana's production, and conceded 19 goals.

But the challenge is huge, as Barça not only wants to maintain their lead at the top, but also win the derby to give their fans a joy and reaffirm their dominance in Catalan and Spanish football. FC Barcelona welcomes Espanyol as the undisputed leader of the championship with 30 points, with 10 wins in 11 games.

The table is set for an afternoon full of excitement, with Barcelona on a roll and Espanyol, who in their need, could be a dangerous rival.