Barcelona is prepared to maintain their momentum in La Liga as they gear up to battle their struggling city rivals, Espanyol, in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Following a sensational week, where Hansi Flick’s side secured a resounding 4-1 victory over Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League, they continued their remarkable form with a stunning 4-0 rout of Real Madrid during El Clasico at the iconic Santiago Bernabeu venue.
This commanding win placed the Blaugrana six points ahead of Madrid at the summit of the La Liga table, showcasing their dominance with an impressive record of 10 wins from 11 league matches this season.
In stark contrast, Espanyol finds themselves at the opposite end of the standings, enduring a grim spell having lost four out of their past five league encounters, which leaves them precariously perched just above the relegation zone in fourth from the bottom.
Barcelona vs. Espanyol lineups, predicted starting 11, team news
Despite facing a challenging array of midfield injuries, Barcelona’s impressive start under Flick has continued to flourish. The situation seems to be improving, and key players Frenkie de Jong and Dani Olmo could potentially feature, particularly if the manager decides to rest the young talents Marc Casado and Fermin Lopez in anticipation of the crucial Wednesday Champions League fixture against Red Star Belgrade.
Eric Garcia is expected to remain on the sidelines due to a muscular injury, alongside his teammates Ferran Torres, Ronald Araujo, and Andreas Christensen, who will also miss the match, while long-term absentees Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Marc Bernal continue their rehabilitation.
Barcelona starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Pena (GK) — Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde — De Jong, Pedri — Lamine Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha — Lewandowski.
Injured: Garcia, Torres, Araujo, Christensen, Ter Stegen, Bernal
Suspended: None
MORE: All the latest soccer news | Barcelona news
Espanyol, on the other hand, enjoyed a much-needed confidence-boosting performance, clinching a 4-0 victory at San Tirso in the Copa del Rey on Thursday. In that match, Alejo Veliz stole the limelight with a hat-trick, potentially earning him a starting role for the impending derby.
Jose Gragera is expected to make his return from a foot injury, whereas Pol Lozano‘s involvement is still uncertain following a muscular complaint sustained earlier this week. Unfortunately, Fernando Calero and Edu Exposito remain sidelined due to their respective injuries.
Espanyol starting XI (4-4-2, right to left): Garcia (GK) — El Hilali, Kumbulla, Cabrera, Olivan — Tejero, Kral, Gragera, Carreras — Puado, Veliz
Injured: Lozano (doubt), Calero, Exposito
Suspended:
What time does Barcelona vs. Espanyol kick off?
This highly anticipated La Liga match is set to unfold at the impressive Estadi Lluis Companys in Barcelona, Spain. Fans and players alike can mark their calendars for this exciting clash on Sunday, November 3 at 4:15 p.m. local time.
Here’s how the kickoff time translates across various major global territories:
**Interview with Sports Analyst, Maria Sanchez**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Maria! We’re gearing up for an exciting Barcelona vs. Espanyol match this weekend. Can you give us an overview of both teams’ recent performances?
**Maria Sanchez:** Absolutely! Barcelona is riding high after their sensational victories over Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. They’ve shown incredible form with 10 wins out of 11 league matches, which puts them firmly at the top of La Liga. Their recent performances demonstrate their capability to dominate even the toughest opponents.
**Interviewer:** That’s impressive! Meanwhile, Espanyol is facing a tough situation. What’s going on with them?
**Maria Sanchez:** Yes, it’s a stark contrast for Espanyol. They’ve had a rough patch, losing four out of their last five matches. This has left them hovering just above the relegation zone, which is worrying for their fans. They really need to find their footing to avoid falling deeper into trouble.
**Interviewer:** With Barcelona’s injury concerns, especially in midfield, how might that affect their lineup for the match?
**Maria Sanchez:** Barcelona does have injuries to key players like Eric Garcia and Ferran Torres, but they still have a strong squad. Frenkie de Jong and Dani Olmo might come back into the lineup, and with a manager like Hansi Flick, they will certainly be well-prepared. It’ll be interesting to see how they manage player fatigue with another Champions League match on the horizon.
**Interviewer:** And for Espanyol? What do they need to do to turn their fortunes around in this match?
**Maria Sanchez:** Espanyol needs to sharpen their defense and find a way to convert their opportunities into goals. They can’t afford to let Barcelona’s potent attack dictate the game. An early goal could boost their confidence and potentially pressure Barcelona into mistakes.
**Interviewer:** What are your thoughts on the significance of this match for both teams?
**Maria Sanchez:** For Barcelona, it’s a chance to maintain their dominance in La Liga and keep the pressure on their rivals. For Espanyol, it’s crucial to not only seek points but also to restore morale and pride. It’s a city rivalry, and these matchups always hold extra weight for players and fans alike.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Maria, for your insights! It sounds like we’re in for an exciting match.
**Maria Sanchez:** Thank you! I’m looking forward to it. It’s always a thrilling encounter in Catalonia!
