La Liga: Barcelona’s Title Could Arrive in the Neighbour’s Backyard

Espanyol vs Barcelona

There’s only one thing better than winning a league title, and that’s winning a title at your nearest neighbour’s home, and that’s exactly what Barcelona are on target to do on Sunday.

13 points clear at the top of La Liga, the Blaugrana could be champions before they kick a ball should the two Madrid giants slip up, but the likelihood is that Xavi’s men will need to beat local rivals Espanyol for the celebrations to begin.

Barca come into the game on the back of a 1-0 win over a stubborn Osasuna, while Luis Garcia’s Espanyol came out on the wrong side of a five-goal tussle with Sevilla.

But this game arguably has more hanging on it for Los Periquitos, as they sit precariously in the bottom three in 19^th place and with three points to make up on Valencia in 17^th. 

Local rivalries being what they are, the Blaugrana fans would love to win the title at the RCDE Stadium while dumping their neighbours further into the mire. 

Talking Points

Roberto ready to return

The Blaugrana is set to clinch its 27^th league title on Sunday, and Xavi might well have a full squad to choose from with the La Liga 2023 news that utility player Sergi Roberto is fit to return.

Roberto picked up a hamstring injury against Getafe last month and has missed four consecutive league games, and his return is a welcome sight for the boss, who wants to see his senior pros available to push his team over the line.

There is some doubt though over winger Gavi, who was holding his upper leg when he was subbed against Osasuna last week after just 30 minutes. The youngster has made progress during the week, but he will undergo a late fitness test.

The Blaugrana have a busy transfer window ahead of them but Gavi, alongside other young stars Ansu Fati and Pedri, is in Xavi’s long-term plans and he won’t risk bringing these players back too early. 

Free hit for Espanyol

Espanyol are at SBOTOP odds of 1.20 to be relegated, coincidentally the same price as Barca’s Robert Lewandowski is to be the league’s top scorer. The La Liga 2023 betting odds may not be too hopeful but, with five games to play and three points to make up all is not lost.

Los Periquitos are only five points behind Almeria in 14^th and have a decent goal difference for a survival push at -16. 18^th placed Getafe face Real Madrid on Saturday and so a defeat to Barcelona might not cut Espanyol further adrift.

And while they are still to face Atletico Madrid, Luis Garcia’s team have winnable games against Rayo Vallecano and relegation rivals Almeria and Valencia to come. Strikers Joselu and Martin Braithwaite, with 14 goals and nine, are more than capable against struggling defences.  

These three games are huge and this one, despite being against their city rivals, could be treated as a free hit.   

No blue and red in the stadium

There is plenty of bad blood in Catalonia though, and reports have emerged that Espanyol will not allow anyone wearing the colours of Barcelona in the RCDE Stadium on Sunday.

Neither will Barcelona scarves or flags be welcome among the capacity 40,000 crowd. The club has made this ban clear to anyone buying tickets online and the police will be ready to eject any Barca fans who ignore the order.

This action may be in response to Barcelona’s ban on the blue and white of Espanyol when the two teams met at the Camp Nou on 31^st December. The neighbours are not being particularly friendly, and that will only serve to wind up their fans.       

History

Barcelona have won 44 of the 67 meetings with Espanyol over the past 30 years, drawing 17 and losing just six, though the two teams drew 1-1 when they met on New Year’s Eve at the Camp Nou.   

With three wins, one draw, and two defeats from the last six games, the Blaugrana are the stronger in terms of recent form compared to Espanyol’s one win, one draw, and four defeats over that period. 

Betting Tip

At 4.07 to win and 3.68 to draw, Espanyol are certainly in this game with the double chance priced at 2.04. But my instinct is that Barcelona will need a result to confirm their league title, and that will push the visitors on to see the job through.

Then, while much of the city celebrates, Los Periquitos will have four games to save their season. 

 

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