If Real Madrid drop points against RCD Mallorca on Tuesday, Barcelona will head into their clash with Espanyol as the new La Liga champions. If not, a win in this fixture will secure them the title with only two games to go in the season.
The home team are 16th on the points table with just 39 points in their 35 outings. Despite losing each of their last three league games, RCD Espanyol still have a five-point cushion over 18th-placed Leganes.
With three games to go in the season, Espanyol still have some work to do to survive the drop. But given their current position on the table, they should be safe. They are heading into this fixture on the back of a defeat at the hands of Leganes and will have to certainly put in a much-improved performance to stand a chance against the league leaders.
The visitors are top of the table with 82 points in their 35 outings. The win in the Clasico pretty much guaranteed them the title as they now have a seven-point lead over second-placed Real Madrid with just three games left. While the title is within touching distance, Hansi Flick is still unlikely to take his foot off the pedal.
The Catalan giants have won each of their last five league games and are heading into this one on the back of yet another win over rivals Real Madrid. Now they will be eager to snatch all three points from local rivals Espanyol and secure the league title. The Hard Tackle takes a close look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Espanyol remain without the services of Brian Olivan. Meanwhile, they do have a boost as Pol Lozano is back fit and Omar El Hilali returns after serving a suspension last time out.
The home team could switch to a back four for this fixture. They could line up in a 4-3-3, where the highly sought-after Joan Garcia will be in goal. Omar El Hilali and Carlos Romero will be the full-backs, while Marash Kumbulla will pair up with Leandro Cabrera in the heart of the defence.
In the centre of the park, Edu Expósito will start alongside Urko González and Pol Lozano. The trio will look to shield the backline and ensure Barcelona midfielders do not dominate possession too deep in their half.
Jofre Carreras and Roberto Fernandez could feature on the flanks providing much-needed width to their attacks. Meanwhile, Javi Puado should spearhead the RCD Espanyol hoo.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Garcia; El Hilali, Kumbulla, Cabrera, Romero; Exposito, Gonzalez, Lozano; Jofre, Puado, Roberto
The visitors remain without the services of Jules Kounde, Marc Casado, Marc Bernal, and Pablo Torre. Meanwhile, Inigo Martinez is suspended for this one after picking up a milestone yellow last time out. Robert Lewandowski, who has been struggling with a hamstring issue, might not be risked in this fixture.
Barcelona will continue to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Wojciech Szczesny will continue in goal. Eric Garcia and Alejandro Balde could be the full-backs with Andreas Christensen getting an opportunity to start alongside Pau Cubarsi in the heart of the defence.
In the centre of the park, Pedri will continue to partner with Frenkie de Jong, the duo will look to control the tempo and ensure they dominate the ball. Dani Olmo will feature as the number ten, with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha on the flanks. Ferran Torres could lead the line for Barcelona against Espanyol.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Garcia, Christensen, Cubarsi, Balde; Pedri, De Jong; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Torres
Torres might have only had 1,921 minutes of first-team football this season but he has certainly made the most out of it. In his 45 appearances across competitions, the 25-year-old Spanish forward has 19 goals and seven assists.
The Spaniard averages a goal every 101 minutes. Given the form Torres is in, Barcelona are unlikely to miss Robert Lewandowski in this fixture. The former Manchester City star could certainly play a key role in helping them secure another three points.
Barcelona will head into this fixture high on confidence, riding the momentum of five straight league wins, including a crucial triumph over Real Madrid. With the title firmly within their grasp, Hansi Flick’s men are unlikely to let this opportunity slip, especially against a struggling Espanyol side who have failed to win any of their last four league outings.
Meanwhile, the hosts are fighting for survival and will be desperate to put on a strong display in front of their fans. However, their recent form and a leaky backline do not inspire much confidence. While they might look to sit deep and frustrate Barcelona, the visitors’ quality and depth should see them through. The Hard Tackle predicts an easy 2-0 win for Flick and his charges.
