FC Barcelona will look to extend their lead at the top of La Liga when they host city rivals RCD Espanyol on Saturday evening in the Catalan derby, part of matchday 31.
Barcelona sit comfortably in first place with 76 points, holding a seven-point advantage over Real Madrid CF ahead of the fixture.
Meanwhile, Espanyol occupy 10th place with 38 points, keeping a safe distance from the relegation zone.
The hosts enter the match in strong form, having capitalized on Real Madrid’s slip-ups. Their recent run includes a crucial win over Atletico Madrid, secured by a late goal from Robert Lewandowski, along with victories against Rayo Vallecano, Sevilla FC, Athletic Bilbao, and Villarreal CF.
Despite their domestic success, Barcelona suffered a setback in Europe after a 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. The team will be eager to regain momentum ahead of the decisive return leg.
Barcelona will be without Raphinha due to injury, which could impact their attacking options.
Espanyol, on the other hand, have endured an inconsistent season.
They recently drew with Real Betis but have struggled for consistency, including losses to Getafe CF and RCD Mallorca, as well as draws against lower-table sides such as Real Oviedo and Elche CF.
Injuries and suspensions have also affected Espanyol’s squad, making their task more difficult against the league leaders. While Barcelona appear favorites on paper, derby matches often bring unexpected outcomes.
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