FC Barcelona will host city rivals Espanyol in a LaLiga clash at the Olímpic Lluís Companys on Sunday, 3 November 2024, with kick-off at 15:15. The Catalan giants are coming off a commanding 4-0 victory against Real Madrid, while Espanyol also enjoyed a 4-0 win over San Tirso SD in the Copa del Rey. Both teams will be looking to carry their winning momentum into this derby.
Watch FC Barcelona vs Espanyol Barcelona live on TV and online in the UK
Footy fans in the UK can catch the Barca vs. Espanyol clash on LaLiga TV, Premier Sports 2, and Premier Sports Extra, or stream it via the bookmaker bet365.
Match preview FC Barcelona vs Espanyol Barcelona with predictions
In the upcoming Catalan derby, the bookies have made it clear that Barca are the heavy favourites to bag all three points against Espanyol. With a whopping 69.21% chance of a home win, the odds are firmly stacked in favour of the Blaugrana. The odds from bet365 reflect this sentiment, offering just 1.1 for a Barca victory, which is as close to a sure thing as you can get in football betting. Meanwhile, a draw is priced at 9.5, and a win for the Periquitos is considered a long shot at 21, highlighting the uphill battle Espanyol faces. The significant gap in probabilities and odds suggests that factors such as Barca's home advantage, their current form, and perhaps Espanyol's struggles are influencing the predictions. With the Camp Nou faithful behind them, Barca are expected to dominate proceedings, while Espanyol will need to pull off something special to upset the odds. As always in football, anything can happen, but the smart money is on Barca to come out on top in this local clash.
FC Barcelona Match Statistics
Barça have been on an absolute tear recently, especially when hitting the road. Their latest away triumph was a stunning 4-0 demolition of Real Madrid in El Clásico, showcasing their attacking prowess and defensive solidity. This victory was part of a broader pattern of dominance, as they also comfortably dispatched Alaves 3-0 away from home earlier in the month. However, it hasn't all been plain sailing, as they did stumble against Osasuna, suffering a 4-2 defeat. Despite this blip, the Catalans have generally been ruthless, blending flair with efficiency, and their away form is a testament to their title ambitions. The Blaugrana's recent performances highlight a team firing on all cylinders, with their attacking unit proving to be a nightmare for defences. They have been scoring for fun, with a notable 5-0 drubbing of Young Boys in the Champions League, further underlining their offensive might. Defensively, they've tightened up significantly, as seen in their clean sheets against both Madrid and Alaves. While the defeat to Osasuna exposed some vulnerabilities, their overall away form suggests a side that is both resilient and relentless, capable of bouncing back and maintaining their momentum across competitions.
Espanyol Barcelona Recent Track Record
Espanyol, the Periquitos, have been on a bit of a rollercoaster ride in their recent away fixtures. Their latest outing in the Copa del Rey saw them thrash San Tirso SD with a commanding 4-0 victory, showcasing their attacking prowess. However, their LaLiga journey has been a mixed bag. They managed a solid 2-0 win against Sevilla, indicating a strong defensive display and clinical finishing. Yet, this was sandwiched between a heavy 4-1 defeat at the hands of Athletic Bilbao and a narrow 1-0 loss to Real Betis, pointing to some defensive frailties and inconsistency on the road. The Catalan side's away form has been a tale of two halves. While they can be lethal upfront, as seen against San Tirso and Sevilla, their defence has been leaky, particularly highlighted in the Bilbao drubbing. Their ability to bounce back with a win against Mallorca after the Betis setback shows resilience, but the inconsistency remains a concern. Espanyol's challenge will be to tighten up at the back while maintaining their attacking edge to climb the LaLiga table.
Team comparison: FC Barcelona vs Espanyol Barcelona
In the head-to-head encounters between FC Barcelona and Espanyol Barcelona, it's clear that the Catalan giants have had the upper hand. Out of seven meetings, Barca have emerged victorious four times, with the remaining three matches ending in draws. The Blaugrana have been particularly dominant at home, securing three wins at Camp Nou, while also managing to snatch a victory on Espanyol's turf. Their attacking prowess was on full display in their last clash, where they triumphed 4-2, showcasing their ability to find the back of the net with ease. On the other hand, Espanyol have struggled to make a mark in this rivalry, failing to secure a win in any of their encounters against their city rivals. Whether playing at home or away, the Periquitos have yet to taste victory, often finding themselves on the back foot against Barca's relentless attack. Despite managing to hold their rivals to a draw on three occasions, Espanyol's inability to convert these opportunities into wins highlights a significant gap in quality and experience when facing the might of FC Barcelona.
How the table looks: FC Barcelona vs Espanyol Barcelona
FC Barcelona currently holds the 1st position in the standings, while Espanyol Barcelona is positioned at 17th.
