PREVIEW: Espanyol host La Liga leaders Barcelona in yet another high stakes Catalan Derby

PREVIEW: Espanyol host La Liga leaders Barcelona in yet another high stakes Catalan Derby

Espanyol and Barcelona, both on five-match La Liga winning streaks, clash in a crucial Catalan derby with European ambitions and local bragging rights at stake.

Espanyol have emerged as La Liga's surprise package, turning last season’s relegation scare into five straight victories, including a 2-1 win over Athletic Club. They are aiming for a sixth consecutive top-flight win, a feat last achieved in June 1999.

Barcelona lead La Liga after eight consecutive wins, with the chance to extend their lead to seven points before Real Madrid play. They have won nine of their last ten competitive matches, though both league defeats this season have come away from home.

The recent history of this fixture strongly favours Barcelona, who are unbeaten in the last 28 La Liga meetings with Espanyol, recording 21 wins and 7 draws.

Espanyol have struggled against top-six opposition, suffering three of their four league defeats this season against such teams. Barcelona, meanwhile, have kept just two clean sheets in nine away league matches.

Only one Espanyol home league match this season has seen more than 1.5 first-half goals. Barcelona have conceded 10 first-half away goals, the second most in La Liga pre-round.

Barcelona’s away games have never been level at half-time this season (HT: W5, L4). Espanyol have scored four home league goals after the 80th minute, second only to Barcelona’s six.

Roberto Fern1ndez has scored after the half-hour mark in five of his six home scoring appearances for Espanyol. Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal opened the scoring in this fixture last season, part of a run of 11 consecutive away goals scored after the 40th minute.

Espanyol’s top scorer Pere Milla limped off against Athletic Club, while Barcelona’s Pedri missed their last match before Christmas.

Despite Barcelona’s dominance in this fixture, Espanyol’s current form suggests value in backing Espanyol/Draw in the double chance market.

Both teams enter the derby with momentum, setting the stage for a fiercely contested clash with implications for the title race and European qualification.