| Match Details |
Information |
| Competition | La Liga – (Spain) |
| Round | 18 |
| Date & Time |
2026-01-03, 21:00 – (Include timezone BST/GMT). |
| Stadium | RCDE Stadium |
Prediction
– Espanyol 1 – 1 FC Barcelona
– Espanyol 1 – 1 FC Barcelona
Recent
Form
Form
As Espanyol and FC Barcelona prepare to face off at the RCDE
Stadium, the momentum leading into this La Liga clash paints a picture of
contrasting fortunes for the two Catalan rivals. Espanyol’s recent form has
been inconsistent, with a mixed bag of results in their last five league
matches. They managed to secure victories against Rayo Vallecano and Sevilla,
both by a 2-1 margin when playing at home. However, their away form has been
less encouraging, suffering narrow defeats to Athletic Club, Getafe, and
Celta de Vigo, all by a single goal margin. This pattern indicates a team
that struggles to impose itself on the road but can find resilience and
success when playing in front of their home crowd.
In contrast, FC Barcelona comes into this fixture with a more positive
trajectory. Despite a setback against Villarreal, where they lost 2-0,
Barcelona has demonstrated strong attacking prowess in their recent home
games. They have secured comfortable victories over Osasuna, Atlético Madrid,
and Deportivo Alavés, scoring three goals in each of those encounters. Even
their high-scoring loss to Real Betis, a 5-3 thriller, showcases their
offensive capabilities, albeit highlighting potential defensive
vulnerabilities.
The head-to-head record is not available, but based on current form, FC
Barcelona appears to have the upper hand, especially given their prolific
scoring form. However, Espanyol’s ability to produce solid performances at
home adds an intriguing layer to this contest, suggesting they may pose a
significant challenge to their illustrious neighbors.
Espanyol Last 5 League
Matches
| Teams | Result | Red Cards |
Yellow Cards |
Corners | Free Kicks |
Possession | Assists |
| Athletic Club Vs Espanyol |
2-1 | 0 – 0 |
5 – 2 | 8 – 4 |
9 – 10 | 66% – 34% |
0 – 1 |
| Getafe Vs Espanyol |
1-0 | 0 – 0 |
5 – 1 | 6 – 4 |
17 – 18 | 56% – 44% | 0 – 1 |
| Espanyol Vs Rayo Vallecano |
1-0 | 1 – 1 |
4 – 8 | 6 – 2 |
21 – 19 | 36% – 64% |
0 – 0 |
| Celta de Vigo Vs Espanyol |
1-0 | 0 – 0 |
1 – 2 | 4 – 3 |
15 – 12 | 61% – 39% |
0 – 1 |
| Espanyol Vs Sevilla |
2-1 | 0 – 0 |
4 – 1 | 4 – 13 |
7 – 18 | 33% – 67% |
2 – 1 |
Espanyol’s recent
performances in La Liga reflect a team that has been struggling to find
consistency, with a mixed bag of results in their last five matches. They
secured a narrow 2-1 victory against Sevilla at home, showcasing resilience
despite being dominated in possession and corner count. This win was
characterized by a strong defensive effort and effective counter-attacks, as
highlighted by their two assists against a more possession-oriented Sevilla.
However, Espanyol’s inability to control possession, as seen in the Sevilla
match, remains a recurrent theme, with the team often seeing less of the
ball, evident in their average possession rate across these fixtures.
In away matches against Athletic Club, Getafe, and Celta de Vigo, Espanyol
suffered defeats, each by a single goal margin. These matches further
illustrate Espanyol’s struggles to impose themselves on the game, as they
often conceded possession and failed to convert their limited chances. Despite
a commendable defensive setup, the lack of offensive firepower has been a
significant issue, with the team failing to score in three of these five
games. The reliance on counter-attacks and set-pieces as primary modes of
threat underscores the team’s tactical approach under current
circumstances.
The absence of Charles Pickel, due to national team commitments, may
slightly disrupt Espanyol’s midfield dynamics, potentially affecting their
ability to break up opposition play and transition effectively. The predicted
lineup indicates a solid defensive base with players like Leandro Cabrera and
Fernando Calero, backed by the experience of Manuel Iori in goal. The
midfield, featuring Edu Expósito and Pol Lozano, will need to step up to
control the tempo and provide support to lone attacker Roberto Fernández.
Overall, Espanyol’s likely approach in their upcoming match at RCDE Stadium
will be to maintain a compact defensive structure, looking to exploit any
opportunities on the break. The key to their success will be improving their
efficiency in front of goal and maintaining discipline, especially given
their recent record of accumulating yellow cards. The team’s ability to adapt
and capitalize on their few chances will be crucial as they aim to secure
valuable points and climb the league standings.
FC Barcelona Last 5 League
Matches
| Teams | Result | Red Cards |
Yellow Cards |
Corners | Free Kicks |
Possession | Assists |
| Villarreal Vs FC Barcelona |
2-0 | 1 – 0 |
1 – 1 | 5 – 10 |
8 – 9 | 21% – 79% |
0 – 1 |
| FC Barcelona Vs Osasuna | 2-0 | 0 – 0 |
0 – 3 | 14 – 1 |
8 – 5 | 80% – 20% |
1 – 0 |
| Real Betis Vs FC Barcelona |
5-3 | 0 – 0 |
4 – 2 | 7 – 7 |
8 – 13 | 38% – 62% |
1 – 4 |
| FC Barcelona Vs Atlético Madrid |
3-1 | 0 – 0 |
1 – 1 | 5 – 4 |
8 – 12 | 58% – 42% |
2 – 1 |
| FC Barcelona Vs Deportivo Alavés |
3-1 | 0 – 0 |
2 – 3 | 5 – 4 |
17 – 10 | 69% – 31% |
3 – 1 |
FC Barcelona’s recent performances
in La Liga reveal a team with a dynamic offensive capability, but also one
that is occasionally vulnerable defensively. Over the last five matches,
Barcelona secured three wins and suffered two losses, with a notable
high-possession style of play. Their dominance in ball control is evident, as
seen in matches against Villarreal and Osasuna, where they maintained
possession rates of 79% and 80%, respectively. This ability to control the
game allows Barcelona to dictate play, creating numerous opportunities to
score, as demonstrated by their impressive corner counts in these matches,
particularly the 14 corners against Osasuna.
However, Barcelona’s defensive frailties were exposed in their 5-3 defeat
to Real Betis, showing that while they can score consistently, they are also
susceptible to conceding goals. The absence of key defenders Andreas
Christensen and Jules Koundé due to injuries could further exacerbate these
defensive vulnerabilities. With Christensen recovering from a ligament tear
and Koundé sidelined by a hamstring injury, Barcelona’s backline may lack the
stability and experience needed to fend off potent attacks.
The predicted lineup suggests a blend of youth and experience, particularly
with emerging talents like Alejandro Balde and Lamine Yamal expected to
feature prominently. The midfield, anchored by Frenkie de Jong, remains a
crucial component in Barcelona’s strategy, tasked with maintaining possession
and linking play between defense and attack. Meanwhile, Ferran Torres, as the
frontline attacker, will be expected to capitalize on the team’s creative
output.
Overall, Barcelona’s approach in the upcoming match at RCDE Stadium is
likely to focus on exploiting their strengths in possession and attacking
prowess while addressing defensive concerns. Ensuring a cohesive defensive
strategy in the absence of Christensen and Koundé will be pivotal for
maintaining their competitive edge in La Liga.
Team News &
Injuries
Injuries
Espanyol
Injuries & Suspensions
- Charles Pickel (Called Up To National
Team)
FC Barcelona Injuries
& Suspensions
- Andreas Christensen (Ligament Tear)
Jules Koundé (Hamstring Injury)
Head-to-Head (H2H) Record
& Summary
& Summary
H2H Last
5
| Teams | Result | Red Cards |
Yellow Cards |
Corners | Free Kicks |
Possession | Assists |
| Espanyol Vs FC Barcelona |
N/A | 1 – 0 |
4 – 1 | 3 – 3 |
10 – 13 | 25% – 75% |
0 – 2 |
| Espanyol Vs FC Barcelona |
N/A | 0 – 0 |
0 – 3 | 9 – 5 |
0 – 0 | 77% – 23% | 3 – 1 |
| Espanyol Vs FC Barcelona |
N/A | 0 – 0 |
1 – 3 | 4 – 3 |
0 – 0 | 30% – 70% |
1 – 4 |
| Espanyol Vs FC Barcelona |
N/A | 1 – 1 |
5 – 6 | 10 – 2 |
12 – 11 | 77% – 23% |
1 – 0 |
| Espanyol Vs FC Barcelona |
N/A | 1 – 1 |
4 – 3 | 3 – 5 |
0 – 0 | 36% – 64% |
0 – 0 |
H2H Detailed
Analysis
The head-to-head records between Espanyol and FC
Barcelona reveal a historically dynamic rivalry, characterized by fluctuating
match patterns and competitive intensity. Notably, possession statistics in
recent encounters have shown a marked disparity, with Barcelona consistently
dominating the ball in most matches. In three out of the last five meetings,
Barcelona has maintained over 70% possession, which underscores their control
and strategic dominance on the field. Conversely, Espanyol has demonstrated
resilience in set-piece situations, often securing more corners in matches
where they have had a higher possession percentage. Despite Barcelona’s
possession advantage, Espanyol’s tactical adaptations have enabled them to
challenge Barcelona in various facets of gameplay, evident in their ability
to earn a comparable number of free kicks and occasionally outscore Barcelona
in terms of assists, as seen in some matchups.
However, the upcoming encounter will likely be influenced by significant
injuries and absences on both sides. For Espanyol, the absence of Charles
Pickel due to national team duties might affect their midfield depth,
potentially disrupting their transitional play. Barcelona, on the other hand,
faces challenges with key defensive absences, as Andreas Christensen and Jules
Koundé are unavailable due to injuries. This could offer Espanyol
opportunities to exploit vulnerabilities in Barcelona’s defense, particularly
with their predicted lineup including Ferran Torres as a lone attacker. The
absence of seasoned defenders in Barcelona’s lineup might compel them to rely
heavily on their midfield to maintain control and shield the defense from
Espanyol’s offensive maneuvers. Ultimately, while historical patterns suggest
Barcelona’s dominance, the current lineup configurations and injuries might
create a more balanced and unpredictable contest, providing Espanyol with a
potential edge to disrupt Barcelona’s usual strategies.
Predicted
Lineups
- Formation:
4-2-3-1 - Players: Manuel Iori (Goalkeeper), Fernando
Calero (Defender), Leandro Cabrera (Defender), Carlos Romero (Defender), Omar
El Hilali (Defender), Urko González de Zárate (Midfielder), Edu Expósito
(Midfielder), Pol Lozano (Midfielder), Pere Milla (Midfielder), Tyrhys Dolan
(Midfielder), Roberto Fernández (Attacker)
- Formation:
4-2-3-1 - Players: Joan García (Goalkeeper), Alejandro
Balde (Defender), Pau Cubarsí (Defender), Gerard Martín (Defender), TBC
(Defender), Lamine Yamal (Midfielder), Raphinha (Midfielder), Fermín López
(Midfielder), Frenkie de Jong (Midfielder), Eric García (Midfielder), Ferran
Torres (Attacker)