La Liga preview: Barcelona vs Espanyol - key stats, H2H, line-ups, prediction

Xavi is braced for his managerial debut as Barcelona take on Espanyol in the Catalan derby.

Venue: Camp Nou

Key Statistics

Barcelona have been unbeaten in their last 22 games against Catalan rivals Espanyol.
Barca have endured the worst possible start to this season, currently sitting 9th in the table with 17 points after 12 games.
Espanyol’s Raul de Tomas is La Liga’s second top scorer this season with 7 goals and he has found the nets in the last five league games.

Head to Head record

Barcelona boast a dominant record against Espanyol, winning 124 times out of 212 games. Their Catalan rivals have managed only 44 victories.

Recent form

Barcelona: W L L D W D

Espanyol: W W D D L W

Barcelona

Barcelona are set for a new era under Xavi, who will make his managerial debut at the Camp Nou on Sunday.

The legendary midfielder has arrived at Camp Nou in the middle of a deep crisis, with the Catalans sitting ninth in La Liga table ( 5 wins 4 draws 3 defeats).

However, Xavi intends to start with a clean slate in the Catalan derby against Espanyol.

Xavi is deprived of resources, as players like Ansu Fati, Sergio Aguero, Martin Braithwaite and Ousmane Dembele have been sidelined due to injury. Furthermore, Gerard Pique, Pedri and Sergi Roberto will be assessed before the game.

Memphis Depay will be coming on the back of an impressive World Cup Qualifying campaign, playing a key part in Netherlands’ qualification. Frenkie de Jong was equally brilliant for the Dutch side in their crucial win against Norway.

It would be an exciting clash as all eyes would be on Xavi and how he would fare in his debut for Barca.

????| Memphis Depay ends as the joint top goalscorer in European Qualifiers for next year's World Cup with 12 goals [equal with Harry Kane].

• Memphis had 18 goal contributions, 12 goals and 6 assists, in 10 games.

• He played a key role as The Netherlands qualified for the WC. pic.twitter.com/geSI0KeknE
— Barça Buzz (@Barca_Buzz) November 17, 2021

????| Frenkie De Jong vs Norway.

• 93 Touches.
• 78/80 Passes.
• 4/4 Accurate Long Balls.
• 2 Crosses.
• 8/11 Duels Won.
• 4/4 Dribbles. (Most)
• 2 Fouls Won.
• 1 Tackle.
• 1 Interception.
• 10 Ball Recoveries.

Great performance in a crucial match! ???? pic.twitter.com/RVmdxnnlPd
— Barça Buzz (@Barca_Buzz) November 17, 2021

• Xavi will debut as the Barcelona manager in the derby vs Espanyol on 20th.

• His last derby at the Camp Nou was on 7th December 2014. He started and was the captain.

• Barça won 5-1. Messi scored a hattrick, Piqué and Pedro scored the other two.

Via: @mundodeportivo pic.twitter.com/f4PV9tiyzP
— Barça Buzz (@Barca_Buzz) November 12, 2021

Possible Barcelona line-up

Marc Andre ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Ronald Araujo, Eric Garcia, Jordi Alba; Gavi, Sergio Busquets, Frenkie De Jong; Memphis Depay, Luuk De Jong, Philippe Coutinho

Espanyol

After gaining promotion from Spain’s second division, Espanyol have fared well in La Liga this season.

The Catalan club sit 11th in the table and share the same points (17) as Valencia and Barcelona.

Raul de Tomas has been in sublime form this season, racking up 7 goals and 2 assists in 12 games and also found the nets in the last five games in La Liga.