The table will not lie in the Catalan Derby
The winter break is finally over and what better way to kickstart to rest of Barcelona’s title challenge than a local derby against rock bottom Espanyol? It will not be that simple, though it is a kind reintroduction to La Liga for them, especially considering the electric form they entered the festive period in. Their main rivals Real Madrid face a difficult trip to Getafe, presenting this match as a possible opportunity for Ernesto Valverde’s men to extend their current two-point lead at the summit, pressing on to a third straight title.
Recent form
Espanyol are 20th and five points from safety despite managing to qualify out of their Europa League group to be drawn against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the round of 32 stage. They are winless in their last eight and the statistics in this head-to-head fixture is grim reading. Zero first half goals against the Catalan Giantsat RCDE Stadium in their last ten attempts in La Liga, and with how strong Barcelona have been this season in the second period, their chances at pulling off a shock are looking very slim.
The Front Three
FCB’s terrifying attacking trio all got on the scoresheet in their rampant 4-1 demolition of Alaves last time out. Particularly Luis Suarez was in sparkling form, contributing three assists and a late penalty in a match where the league leaders were more clinical than dominant.
The Uruguaylegend in their ranks will be 33 by the end of the month and yet has shown no signs of decline this campaign, starring in the Champions League and domestically, with Antoine Griezmann coming in to take his fair share of the goalscoring load this. Seemingly without breaking sweat the attacking villain has managed a goal involvement per game on average in La Liga with 10 goals and six assists.
Sergi Darder
A returning youth product before the start of last season, Darder has been a rare bright spark of the 2019/20 campaign, featuring in all but one La Liga outing and being joint club top scorer with defender Bernardo Espinosa at a grand total of two. Having recently passed a century of appearances for the club the box to box midfielder will need to take a leading role should the Whiteand Blue put up a strong fight against relegation this term.
At a nice price Barcelona are huge favourites to win the Catalan derby and they may do it at a canter.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
Wu Lei scored an 88th minute equaliser, stealing two points from the league leaders, 2-2.