Barcelona vs Espanyol: On November 3, 2024, Barcelona and Espanyol reignite their long-standing rivalry in a La Liga clash at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. Barcelona is 1st and Espanyol is 17th.

Barcelona vs Espanyol Head-to-Head

In recent years, Barcelona has dominated this fixture, boasting a clear advantage in head-to-head meetings:

• Wins: Barcelona (6), Espanyol (1), Draws (4) in their last 11 matchups.
• Barcelona has historically held the upper hand, especially at home, winning 27 of 33 meetings at Camp Nou.
• Espanyol’s last victory at Camp Nou dates back to 2009, illustrating their uphill task.

Last 5 Meetings

• May 15, 2023: Espanyol 2-4 Barcelona
• Dec 31, 2022: Barcelona 1-1 Espanyol
• Feb 14, 2022: Espanyol 2-2 Barcelona
• Nov 21, 2021: Barcelona 1-0 Espanyol
• July 9, 2020: Barcelona 1-0 Espanyol

Barcelona remains undefeated in the last five encounters, claiming three victories and two draws.

Form Guide

Barcelona

• La Liga Form: W-W-L-W-W-W
• All Competitions: L-W-W-W-W-W

Espanyol

• La Liga Form: L-L-L-W-L-L
• All Competitions: L-L-W-L-L-W

Barcelona enters the match with robust momentum, while Espanyol struggles with inconsistent performances, particularly away from home.

Possible Lineups

Barcelona (4-2-3-1)
Pena; Kounde, Cubarsi, I Martinez, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski

Espanyol (4-4-2)
Garcia; El Hilali, Kumbulla, Cabrera, Olivan; Tejero, Kral, Gragera, Carreras; Puado, Veliz

Key Players

• Barcelona: Robert Lewandowski, leading Barcelona’s scoring with 14 goals, will be crucial. With support from youngsters like Pedri and Lamine Yamal, Barcelona’s attacking force looks formidable.
• Espanyol: Javi Puado, Espanyol’s leading scorer, has scored 3 goals and will aim to break through Barcelona’s defense.

7 Important Stats

1. Home Strength: Barcelona has won 9 consecutive home matches in La Liga.
2. Away Woes: Espanyol has lost their last 3 away matches in La Liga.
3. Scoring Streak: Barcelona has scored in each of their last 14 matches.
4. Conceding Streak: Espanyol has conceded at least one goal in their last 8 matches.
5. Historic Superiority: Barcelona has won 42 out of 68 meetings with Espanyol in all competitions.
6. Goal Differential: In 33 home matches, Barcelona has a 82-17 goal advantage over Espanyol.
7. Halftime Wins: Barcelona wins 44% of first halves; Espanyol trails with an 18% win rate in the same period.

SWOT Analysis for Barcelona vs Espanyol

FC Barcelona

Strengths:

1. Historical Dominance: Barcelona has won 27 of the last 33 home encounters with Espanyol, scoring a staggering 82 goals and conceding only 17. This record highlights Barcelona’s control over the fixture.
2. Home Form: Barcelona’s home record this season is perfect, with a 4-0-0 streak in La Liga. They have won their last 9 home matches, reflecting a strong advantage at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.
3. Goal-scoring Consistency: Barcelona has scored in 14 consecutive matches, with Robert Lewandowski leading as top scorer (14 goals). The team’s ability to find the net is a constant threat.
4. First-Half Dominance: Barcelona wins the first half in 44% of their matches, often setting the tone early and controlling the tempo from the start.

Weaknesses:

1. Dependence on Key Players: While Lewandowski’s scoring form is positive, Barcelona’s reliance on his goals may become an issue if he is marked out or has an off day.
2. Occasional Slow Starts: Barcelona scores 24% of their goals between the 16th and 30th minutes, which suggests they sometimes take a few minutes to settle into games. This could give Espanyol a small window to disrupt their rhythm.

Opportunities:

1. Capitalizing on Espanyol’s Away Struggles: Espanyol has struggled on the road, losing their last 3 away matches in La Liga, and failing to win any of their last 7 away games.
2. Exploiting Espanyol’s Weak Defense: Espanyol has conceded in their last 8 matches, and Barcelona’s average of 2.52 goals per game at home gives them a high probability of scoring multiple goals.

Threats:

1. Counter-Attack Vulnerability: Espanyol scores 30% of their goals between minutes 46-60, a period when Barcelona might lose concentration, especially after halftime.
2. Pressure in the Derby Atmosphere: The Catalan derby has a unique atmosphere, and Espanyol may raise their game, playing with added motivation to end their poor record.

Espanyol

Strengths:

1. Quick Scoring after Halftime: Espanyol’s scoring peak between the 46th and 60th minute could give them an edge in the second half, especially if Barcelona is vulnerable after the break.
2. Derby Motivation: Though Espanyol’s form is poor, the intensity of the derby could inspire them to perform above expectations, often the case in rivalry games.

Weaknesses:

1. Poor Away Record: Espanyol’s away record this season (0-1-4) reflects their struggles on the road, with 3 straight away losses and failing to score in 3 out of 5 away matches.
2. Defense Issues: Espanyol has not kept a clean sheet in their last 8 matches, indicating defensive frailty that Barcelona is likely to exploit.
3. Lack of Recent Success Against Barcelona: Espanyol has not beaten Barcelona in their last 16 away encounters, which weighs psychologically on the team as they prepare for this fixture.

Opportunities:

1. Exploiting Barcelona’s Slow Start: Barcelona’s tendency to take a few minutes to get into their stride could give Espanyol a chance to press high and create early opportunities.
2. Set-Piece and Counter Opportunities: Espanyol’s lower possession playstyle may afford them set-piece or counter-attack chances, especially if Barcelona overcommits players forward.

Threats:

1. High-Pressure Game: With Espanyol’s recent defensive record and Barcelona’s prolific attack, Espanyol will likely be under siege, especially in the first half.
2. Psychological Impact of Past Results: Espanyol’s last away win at Barcelona was in 2009, and the weight of history may influence the team’s confidence negatively.

Prediction

Barcelona’s strong home record and recent form give them a clear edge in this encounter. Despite Espanyol’s efforts to disrupt, the attacking prowess of Lewandowski and the strength of Barcelona’s midfield should prove too much for the visitors.

Prediction: Barcelona 3-1 Espanyol

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Where to Watch Barcelona vs Espanyol Livestream

The Americas

• Canada (Vancouver 7.15am, Montreal 10.15am)
  TSN (English), RDS (French)
• USA (Los Angeles 7.15am, New York 10.15am)
  ESPN
• Mexico (Mexico City 8.15am)
  Sky, Canal5
• Central America and Dominican Republic (Costa Rica 8.15am, Panama 9.15am, Dominican Republic 10.15am)
  Sky (plus Sportsmax in Dom Rep)
• Caribbean (Jamaica 9.15am, Bahamas 10.15am)
  Sportsmax (plus ESPN and Star+ in certain countries and ATV in Suriname)
• French Caribbean (Martinique 10.15am, French Guiana 11.15am)
  Bein
• Spanish speaking South America (Peru, Colombia 9.15am, Venezuela, Chile 10.15am, Argentina, Uruguay 11.15am)
  ESPN, Star+, DirecTV (plus IVC in Venezuela, Tigo in Bolivia)
• Brazil (Brasilia 11.15am)
  ESPN, Star+

Europe

• United Kingdom and Ireland (3.15pm)
  Viaplay, La Liga TV
• Portugal (3.15pm)
  DAZN
• Spain (4.15pm)
  Movistar, DAZN, LaLiga TV
• France (4.15pm)
  Bein
• Belgium and Luxembourg (4.15pm)
  DAZN
• Netherlands (4.15pm)
  Ziggo Sport
• Norway (4.15pm)
  TV2
• Sweden (4.15pm)
  TV4 Football
• Denmark (4.15pm)
  TV2 Sport
• Germany, Austria and Italy (4.15pm)
  DAZN (and Sky Sports Bar in Italy)
• Switzerland (4.15pm)
  Blue
• Poland (4.15pm)
  Eleven, Canal+
• Czech Republic and Slovakia (4.15pm)
  Nova
• Hungary (4.15pm)
  Spiler 2
• Balkan Republics (4.15pm)
  Arena (and Artmotion in Kosovo)
• Albania (4.15pm)
  Super Sport
• Finland (5.15pm)
  C-More
• Baltic Republics and Belarus (5.15pm)
  Setanta
• Ukraine (5.15pm)
  Megogo
• Romania (5.15pm)
  Prima, Digi, Orange
• Bulgaria (5.15pm)
  Max Sport
• Greece (5.15pm)
  Nova
• Cyprus (5.15pm)
  Primetel
• Israel (5.15pm)
  One
• Turkey (6.15pm)
  S Sport
• Russia (Moscow 6.15pm)
  Match
• Caucasus Region (7.15pm)
  Setanta (plus TV Net and Real TV in Azerbaijan)

Africa

• North Africa (Morocco 8.00pm, Libya 9.00pm, Egypt 10.00pm)
  Bein
• Sub-Saharan Africa (Senegal, Ghana 3.15pm, Nigeria, Cameroon 3.15pm, South Africa, Zambia 4.15pm, Ethiopia 5.15pm)
  Super Sport (English and local languages), Canal + Sport (French), Zap (Portuguese)

Asia

• Arab countries and Iran (Mecca 6.15pm, Iran 6.45pm)
  Bein
• Central Asian republics (Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan 7.15pm)
  Setanta
• Indian Subcontinent (Afghanistan 7.45pm, Pakistan 8.15pm, India 8.45pm, Bangladesh 9.15pm)
  Voot, MTV (plus Sports 18 in India)
• Myanmar (8.45pm)
  Canal +
• Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia 10.15pm, Philippines 11.15pm)
  Bein, La Liga TV (plus CTN in Cambodia, and Setanta in Philippines)
• Vietnam (10.15pm)
  SCTV
• Mongolia (11.15pm)
  SPS
• China (11.15pm)
  MIGU
• Chinese Taipei/Taiwan (11.15pm)
  DAZN

Saturday, 4 November

• South Korea (12.15am)
  Coupang
• Japan (12.15am)
  U-Next, DAZN

Oceania

• Papua New Guinea (1.15am)
  Digicel
• Australia (Perth 11.15pm, Sydney 2.15am)
  Optus
• New Zealand (4.15am)
• Pacific islands (Fiji 2.15am)
  TVWAN Sports

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