Espanyol v Barcelona – Match Preview and Betting Tip

Betting Tips | Article posted on May 23rd, 2025

With the La Liga title secured a long time ago, Barcelona’s last two league fixtures of the season could appear rather meaningless. However, they do have a clear goal from their remaining fixtures which is to break the 100 point barrier for the first time in their history. The desire to do this will be particularly intensified as Real Madrid achieved this precise feat just last season.

Thus, if Barcelona needed any greater incentive to beat their city rivals Espanyol than local pride, then they have at least have one in the form of attempting another record breaking achievement. There is no doubt, though, that their neighbours will be keen to give them a very tough game when Barca travel to the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat on Sunday evening.

For a team that lives in the constant shadow of its epic neighbour, Espanyol have experienced a pretty acceptable season. With two games to go, they face no threat of relegation and have assumed a respectable mid-table position. Unfortunately, Barcelona often reserve some of their best form for their local rivals, and thumped Espanyol 4-0 at the Camp Nou earlier this season.

Bareclona’s season has not exactly been unsatisfactory either – how can it be deemed so when they’ve obtained more league points that at any other time in their history?! – but the ignominious exit that the club suffered at the hands of Bayern Munich in the Champions League has cast something of a shadow over it. While one couldn’t exactly describe it as a season of failure when they’ve won La Liga by such an emphatic margin, there is no doubt that changes will be made in the summer.

Barca are highly likely to be without Lionel Messi for this game, which means that David Villa will likely play centre-forward alongside Pedro Rodriguez and Cesc Fabregas. With little cover at the back, Eric Abidal may get a rare run out.

Espanyol (possible 3-5-2)

Cristian ALvarez; Raúl Rodríguez, Diego Daniel Colotto, Víctor Guillermo Álvarez; Sergio Tejera, Raúl Baena, Verdú, Javier López Rodríguez, Wakaso; Stuani, Sergio García

Barcelona (possible 3-1-3-1-2)

Vitor Valdes; Dani Alves, Gerard Pique, Eric Abidal, Jordi Alba; Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta; Cesc Fabregas, David Villa, Pedro Rodriguez

Betting Prediction

Although Espanyol will not want to be beaten by their city neighbours once again, I have to predict a Barcelona win here. The Catalan giants have recovered somewhat from the shock of their defeat to Bayern Munich, and are playing decent football again. I expect them to control the midfield in this match and win quite comfortably by two goals to nil.

Final Scoreline Prediction:Espanyol 0 – 2 Barcelona

Other Recommended Bets: Under 2.5 Goals, Both Teams not to Score.

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