Fresh off a rousing 4-3 El Clasico conquer Real Madrid, Barcelona stand getting ready to their twenty eighth La Liga title – and will seal the crown on Thursday with a win over metropolis rivals Espanyol.
Should Madrid stumble in opposition to Mallorca on Wednesday, the Blaugrana would enter the RCDE Stadium as newly minted champions.
But even when Los Blancos gather all three factors, a derby-day victory would nonetheless hand Hansi Flick’s males the league trophy with two matches to spare.
Barcelona’s revival beneath Flick has been nothing wanting dramatic.
Sunday’s El Clasico at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys was a rollercoaster, with Barca battling again from Kylian Mbappe’s early double to guide 4-2 by halftime.
Eric Garcia and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal received on the board earlier than Raphinha struck twice.
Mbappe accomplished his hat trick within the second half, and Fermin Lopez’s would-be aim was dominated out by VAR, however Barca held on.
Already holders of the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup, Barca now lead La Liga by seven factors with three video games to play. With 95 targets in 35 video games, Flick’s facet even have their eyes set on hitting the 100-goal mark.
Espanyol, in the meantime, are staring down the barrel of a survival battle.
Los Periquitos sit 14th after a dismal run, taking only one level from their final 4 outings. A 1-1 draw with Valencia was adopted by three straight losses to Villarreal, Real Betis and second-tier-bound Leganes – the latter a 3-2 defeat regardless of a late rally from Leandro Cabrera and Pere Milla.
Still, Manolo Gonzalez’s facet are 5 factors away from the drop with three video games left, and can lean on their strong residence kind: one loss of their final 11 La Liga matches at RCDE Stadium (4W, 6D), although that lone defeat got here of their most up-to-date outing in opposition to Betis.
Espanyol haven’t overwhelmed Barca within the league since a 2-1 win again in February 2009, and the numbers don’t lie – the Blaugrana are unbeaten of their final 27 La Liga derbies (20W, 7D), together with a 3-1 win in November’s reverse fixture powered by a Dani Olmo brace and an early Raphinha strike.
Barcelona have additionally received 14 of their final 15 league matches and every of their final 5 on the street.
In workforce news, Espanyol will once more be with out defender Brian Olivan (calf), whereas midfielder Pol Lozano may return after resuming coaching.
Right-back Omar El Hilali is accessible after serving a one-match suspension. Forward Javi Puado, with 11 targets and three assists, will lead the attacking cost.
For Barcelona, long-term absentee Marc Bernal stays sidelined.
Jules Kounde and Pablo Torre are nonetheless uncertain, and Inigo Martinez is suspended.
Andreas Christensen, who impressed off the bench in El Clasico, might slot in alongside Ronald Araujo.
Alejandro Balde is pushing for a begin, however Robert Lewandowski, nursing a hamstring problem, is unlikely to be risked.
Source: www.dailysabah.com