La Liga: Espanyol vs. Barcelona

Posted on | November 29, 2007 | No Comments

It’s derby time in Barcelona city and this one is well worth watching. Barcelona at home are an incredible sight, strong, confident and determined. Away from home though things change. Drastically. Barcelona have played nine away games so far this season and have only been able to beat bottom club Levante and Stuttgart in the Champions league. On Tuesday they again came unstuck away from the Nou Camp when they drew to Lyon. Ronaldhino was left out of the starting lineup and didn’t seem to like being on the bench. Everything indicates that he will soon be leaving though. His destination is likely to be AC Milan when the transfer window opens in January.
Espanyol can consider themselves quite happy with the way the season is panning out for them. They are sitting in a Champions league spot in fourth place and just one point above their city rivals. A win here will catapult them into third or even second place in the league, so you can imagine how eager the players must be.
The last two confrontations between these two teams ended in a draw at the Nou Camp and a home win for Espanyol, with their captain (and very underrated striker) Raul Tamudo getting three of the five goals.
Barca are still feeling the effects of the ‘black sheep’ scandal and need a good win here to diminish any doubts over their form. They did get a good win last week at home to Recreativo, but the visitors didn’t really put up a fight. The best they could do was keep the score line to nil-nil until halftime, but then Barca increased the pace and were able to put three away in a game that they dominated from start to finish but never really impressed owing to the low level of play offered by the away team.
I’m not sure if Espanyol will get the win here, and a draw seems much more likely. Their defense is getting better with each game, and have conceded just three home goals this season so far. Thierry Henry missed the Lyon game due to a back problem and didn’t train on Thursday, so his participation in this match is more than doubtful. The good news though is that Samuel Eto’o is practically back to full fitness and could even take some part against Espanyol, although he won’t be in the starting lineup.
I’m going to stick my neck out again on this one and go for the draw. Both teams are at the top of the table and Barca could start Monday morning as league leaders if the other results go their way. I am doubtful that they can get all three points against this Espanyol, who are more and more impressive in each match.
Prediction: Draw (2-2)

Related posts:

1. La Liga: Barcelona vs. Espanyol
2. La Liga: Barcelona vs. Espanyol
3. La Liga: Athlético Madrid vs. Espanyol
4. La Liga: Getafe vs. Espanyol
5. La Liga: Espanyol vs. Villarreal

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