Espanyol vs Barcelona betting tips: La Liga preview, predictions and odds

Espanyol vs Barcelona match preview

Will Barcelona wrap up the La Liga title, simultaneously plunging their fierce city rivals closer to relegation?

Last time out, Barça, just about, beat Osasuna 1-0 at Camp Nou, with Jordi Alba’s late goal snatching their 13th 1-0 victory of the season.

So, having won 14 of their 18 matches in 2023, Xavi’s team are 13 points clear of second-placed Atleti, and will rubber stamp a 27th league title with victory in this Catalan derby.

There might not be any Derbi Barcelonés to look forward to next season, with Espanyol in serious danger of going down.

Blanquiazules had taken just one point from eight outings, form that cost Diego Martínez his job, before a vital victory a fortnight ago.

Luis García, belatedly, claimed his first victory as manager, beating Getafe 1-0, but they could not build on this, losing 3-2 at Sevilla last time out.

So, Espanyol start the weekend 19th, three points from safety, in danger of being cut adrift, should they suffer defeat here.

The reverse fixture on New Years’ Eve did end 1-1, Joselu converting a late penalty, but anything other than an away win at RCDE Stadium would be a shock.