La Liga Preview: Espanyol - Barcelona

Posted Saturday, April 17, 2010 by Goal.com

Having come through the Clasico unscathed, Barca face their next great test against their city rivals...

Kick Off: Saturday, April 17, 2010. 20:00 CET
Estadio Cornella-El Prat, Barcelona

Disrupters

Espanyol suffered more disappointment on the road on Wednesday night, when they were defeated 3-1 by Racing Santander, and now must swiftly brush themselves down before Saturday’s mammoth clash against Barcelona.

Los Racinguistas have a poor home record, but los Periquitos are comparably poor on their travels, and that was certainly evident when the sides met in Cantabria in midweek. Espanyol were not under any especially great pressure from their opponents, but they conceded two penalty kicks after Ivan Alonso had given them a precious advantage.

Already seemingly safe from relegation, Espanyol enjoy a healthy eight point cushion over the drop zone with just six matches remaining. It would take an almighty collapse from Mauricio Pochettino’s side if they were to be sucked back into danger over the course of the next month.

Though they have one of the poorest away records in La Primera Division, los Periquitos tend to be fairly strong at home, losing only three of their previous 16 Liga encounters at the Cornella-El Prat this term.

Added to that, los Blanquiblaus rarely roll over easily against la Blaugrana, having gone three-and-a-half years without losing to their neighbours by more than a solitary goal – a record that many teams around Europe would relish. Expect a hard-fought match on Saturday evening, with the hosts attempting to disrupt their illustrious rivals at every opportunity.

‘Only Desire’

Top of La Primera Division and seemingly in control of the title race, Barcelona took another impressive step towards a second successive crown as they destroyed Deportivo La Coruna 3-0 on Wednesday evening. Though Pep Guardiola chose to rest several star names, Barca cruised to victory; Bojan Krkic, Pedro, whose goal was really quite special, and a thumping hit from Yaya Toure giving them all three points.

La Blaugrana continue to be relentlessly hunted by Real Madrid, but the Catalans took an important leap to success by humbling los Blancos 2-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu last weekend, though coach Pep Guardiola knows there can be no relent from his side in the final games of the campaign.

“There is no fatigue, there is only desire,” he affirmed to the media after Wednesday’s encounter. “There isn't long to go in the season and desire takes you where necessary. We have historic opportunities before us, which may never return and you have to take them. We have to be thinking like this 24 hours a day.

“Normally the team that totals over 80 points is the champion, but this year is different, but the tone and intensity of the team makes me optimistic.”

Crucial for Guardiola was the mentality of his players in midweek. He confessed that he was concerned that they may become lax after their victory in the capital, but it was a typically upbeat Barca performance that bettered their opponents on Wednesday. Having overcome the midweek hurdle, it would be a shock if there was any let-up in intensity from Guardiola’s super-professional side.

FORM GUIDE

Espanyol

LOST 3-1 (a) Racing Santander (Liga, April 14)

WON 3-0 (h) Atletico Madrid (Liga, April 11)

DREW 1-1 (h) Getafe (Liga, April 4)

DREW 0-0 (h) Sporting de Gijon (Liga, March 28)

DREW 0-0 (a) Valladolid (Liga, March 24)

Barcelona

WON 3-0 (h) Deportivo La Coruna (Liga, April 14)

WON 2-0 (a) Real Madrid (Liga, April 10)

WON 4-1 (h) Arsenal (Champions League, April 6)

WON 4-0 (h) Athletic Bilbao (Liga, April 3)

DREW 2-2 (a) Arsenal (Champions League, March 31)

TEAM NEWS

Espanyol

Fernando Marques is doubtful due to a problem sustained in his left leg during last weekend’s victory over Atletico Madrid, while the hosts will be boosted by the return to action of Pablo Daniel Osvaldo, who has been so adept in front of goal in recent times.

Ivan de la Pena remains a long-term injury concern, while goalkeeper Carlos Kameni is banned after a midweek red card.

Probable Starting XI: Alvarez; Chica, Pareja, Ruiz, Didac; Moises, Baena; Callejon, L. Garcia, Coro; Osvaldo

Barcelona

The latest set-back that Barca have suffered on the injury front is another problem for Andres Iniesta, who appears set to miss the vast majority of the end of the campaign, having suffered a muscle tear in his right leg.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s injury worries appear to be coming steadily to a conclusion, while left-back Eric Abidal has been able to train lightly over the course of the last week.

Probable Starting XI: Valdes; Alves, Pique, Puyol, Maxwell; Busquets, Xavi, Keita; Pedro, Messi, Henry

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Espanyol

Home goalkeeper Cristiano Alvarez is likely to be in for a busy evening, taking over from Carlos Kameni in the home net. The Cameroon star has earned five shut-outs in his last seven Liga games, which is a rather impressive record, but Barca are a step above any of the sides los Periquitos have met in recent times, and the African’s understudy will have to enjoy an exceptional evening on Saturday if his side are to stand a chance.

Barcelona

Pedro’s efforts this season have often been highlighted, but Wednesday’s game against Espanyol was a real highlight for the teenage attacker. His work ethic was superb, totally in keeping with that of his team-mates, while his finishing was top drawer when he was given a chance to shoot first-time from 45-yards with the goalkeeper out of his net. The Spaniard picked out the goal perfectly, giving Barca some much needed breathing space.

PREDICTION

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola took the opportunity to rest several first team players in midweek, and though he will have the forthcoming Champions League tie against Inter on his mind when selecting his side, it will be a strong Blaugrana team who take to the field. This has the potential to be a bruising match, and Espanyol will not go easy on their opponents, but it will be the visitors who claim the points.

Espanyol 1-2 Barcelona