Espanyol and Barcelona will clash in one of the games on match day 36 in the 2024/25 Spanish La Liga campaign.
As of the time of writing, Espanyol have garnered 39 points from 33 games and are ranked 13th on the log. Meanwhile, Barcelona are league leaders with 76 points from the same number of games.
Espanyol, after a slow start where they were performing below their standards, have recovered to almost secure their spot in the Spanish top flight for another season. The Catalan club are just seven points above the drop zone with five games to go at the time of writing.
Meanwhile, Espanyol started the season with consecutive 1-0 defeats to Valladolid and Real Sociedad. However, they found some rhythm in the next three games, winning two and playing a draw in the other one. Periquitos defeated Rayo and Alaves in their home fixtures while Atletico Madrid was forced to a goalless draw at the capital. That positive run was short-lived as they lost their next three La Liga games to Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, Villarreal, and Real Betis. A third win in the league followed at home against Mallorca. Marash Kumbulla scored in the first half before Jofre added another just after the interval. Mallorca then scored a late consolation through Antonio Raillo, but Espanyol held on for all three points.
The next four games in the league produced four losses against Bilbao, Sevilla, Barcelona, and Girona. That winless run came to an end with another home win against Celta Vigo in late November. In the side’s first game in December, they lost to Getafe on the road. In the Copa del Rey, the side progressed past San Tirso in the first round before they were shockingly thrown out of the competition by Barbastro in early December. Currently, Espanyol have won three, drawn two, and lost just once in their past six games in La Liga. It is easily their best spell of the season, and their edging closer to survival in the process.
On the other hand, Barcelona are currently enjoying a comeback season, as their fortunes have rapidly improved since the appointment of former Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick as their coach.
Barcelona have been firing on all cylinders, in Spain and away this season. They won their first seven games in La Liga after a blistering start to the season. Barca defeated Valencia, Athletic Bilbao, Rayo, Valladolid, Girona, Villarreal, and Getafe on their way. During that run, Lamine Yamal, who won the Euros with Spain in the summer, remained a key component in the side with Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha providing the right support in attack. Surprisingly, Barca lost 4-2 to Osasuna on match day 8 before recovering to win their next four league games, including a 4-0 bashing of Real Madrid in the El Clasico at Santiago Bernabeu in the reverse fixture.
In other games, Barcelona have beaten the likes of Bilbao, Betis, Benfica, Valencia, Sevilla, and Real Madrid twice (Super Cup and Copa Del Rey). At the time of writing this piece, Barca have only lost once in 2025, and they are in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League, where they will be battling Inter Milan for a place in the final.
“Thinking about the treble is all very well, but we mustn’t focus on dreams,” Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick said in early April. We have to look to the next game. It’s good that the players have confidence in themselves, but my role is to make sure they give their best in every game.
“We are fighting for everything, we believe in that, and we have the support of the players. We need the fans. It’s a good situation, but we are still in it.”
“I don’t know what the president is dreaming about. I imagine nice things. What I can say is that I want to win every game and play 15 more games for the team, the club, and the fans. If we achieve this, I will be very happy,” the former Bayern Munich boss concluded.
Since then, Barcelona have already claimed the Copa del Rey crown at the expense of Real Madrid, and they currently hold a four-point lead over them in the La Liga title race. This clash with Espanyol might be a derby, but Barcelona have had the upper hand for many years now. However, Manolo González’s men have hit top form in recent weeks, and they might fancy their chances to claim a first win against Barca since 2009.
Match tickets
The epic match at RCDE Stadium in Cornella will be played on Thursday, 15th May 2025 at 20:30 GMT+1.
The magnificent 40,000-capacity stadium with its electrifying atmosphere will be ready to host this fixture between the city rivals.
Getting Espanyol vs Barcelona tickets could take a lot of work given the standard of this game. Hence, you are advised to search ticket reselling sites should they be expectedly sold out on each club’s channels.
Team news
Lineups
Espanyol are currently without the services of Jose Gragera, Brian Olivan, and Jose Catala through injury. Other players like Javi Puado, Edu Exposito, and Roberto Fernandez should be available to feature.
Espanyol XI: Joan García, Cabrera, Carlos Romero, El Hilali, Urko González, Kumbulla, Král, Edu Expósito, Javi Puado, Roberto Fernández, Roca.
Barcelona do have some players missing due to injury at the moment, however, some of them should be back before this game. Alejandro Balde, Marc Casado, and Robert Lewandowski are part of the list of players in the physio’s room. Meanwhile, the likes of Pedri, Gavi, and Torres are all fit and available to play a part in this game once again.
Barcelona XI: Szczesny; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Martin; Pedri, de Jong; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Torres.
Prediction
Espanyol have lost each of their past two La Liga meetings with Barcelona, but they are currently in good form. So, they will be hoping they can bring that energy into this encounter. This is a game that fans would not want to miss, so getting the Espanyol tickets early is advisable.
Meanwhile, Barcelona have been on another level this season. At this time of writing, they are looking for a treble and the La Liga looks more within their reach compared to the others. The Catalan club do not have any major injury worries at the moment. At their full strength, they will be too much for Espanyol to handle.
Interesting stat: Three of the past five La Liga meetings at Espanyol have ended in draws.
Espanyol 0-1 Barcelona