Currently on a five match winning streak in La Liga, Barcelona will look to consolidate their grip on top spot as they welcome Espanyol for their final match of 2022. Xavi's men come into this contest in excellent form, having lost just one of their first 14 matches of the 2022/23 La Liga campaign, and as a result, have a narrow lead over bitter rivals Real Madrid in the race for the league title.
Impressive is not just their attack, which has seen them net 33 times, but their strong defense, which has conceded a measly five so far this season. They will take on an opponent who sit in a miserably 16th spot, with just three points from their last five games and currently are narrowly hovering just one point away from the drop zone.
Indeed, Espanyol have not won a match since beating Real Valladolid in October, and overall, have won just two times all season. As such, Diego Martinez's side are facing increasing pressure to arrest their poor form or face relegation at the conclusion of this campaign. Although Espanyol did hold their derby rivals to a two-all draw in February, they have not beaten the Blaugrana in over 13 years - since February 2009.
Barcelona have not lost at Camp Nou to Espanyol since the aforementioned result from February 2009 during which they were defeated 2-1; since then, the Blaugrana have won all 12 of their ensuing fixtures. Overall, they are unbeaten in their last 24 La Liga meetings against Espanyol, and barring a surprise result, it's hard to bet against Xavi's side making it a sixth league win on the trot to wrap up 2022.
Team news: Barcelona vs Espanyol
Barcelona: Barcelona have been given a huge boost, as the previously-suspended Robert Lewandowski can now feature after reportedly seeing his three-match ban overturned.
Espanyol: Keidi Bare is out with a ligament injury, while Adria Pedrosa is a doubt as he's not fully recovered from a groin injury.
Match facts: Barcelona vs Espanyol
- Barcelona are unbeaten in their last 24 meetings with Espanyol (W16 D8)
- The Blaugrana also haven't lost to Espanyol at Camp Nou since February 2009
- Xavi's side have also only conceded five goals, and have kept 11 clean sheets so far - which is the most of any team featuring in Europe's "Big Five" leagues
Broadcast info: Barcelona vs Espanyol
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Match details, result and original broadcast info
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Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
