La Liga preview and odds: Barcelona vs Espanyol

Published on: 08/05/2016

La Liga preview and odds: Barcelona vs Espanyol

May 08, 2016 17:00pm - Camp Nou

La Liga

A crucial game for the city of Barcelona will see the reigning champions attempt to retain their crown while Espanyol go in search of the point needed to secure their top-flight status.

A win could secure title for Barça

Following a recent slump in form that gave away valuable ground to their rivals, Barcelona have responded in the best way possible by winning three games in a row without conceding a goal. As a result, they still hold the advantage in the title race and could be crowned champions with a win on Sunday providing Atletico Madrid lose at Levante and Real Madrid fail to win at home to Valencia.

Either way, the fate of the Catalan team still rests in their own hands with two games left to play. A win on Sunday followed by a win in Granada next week would guarantee the title regardless of other results. They will buoyed by the fact that they have won their last six home derby games against Espnayol.

A point will do for Esapnyol

Espanyol broke a five-game winless streak with a home win over Sevilla last time out. That win moved them to within touching distance of survival but they still need one more point to rubber-stamp their place in next season`s La Liga line-up.

Constantin Galca`s men have won just one of their last 14 away games in La Liga, having drawn two and lost the other 11. On their last road trip, they were demolished 4-0 by La Liga new boys Las Palmas.

Team news

Luis Enrique will have to manage without the injured group of Claudio Bravo, Thomas Vermaelen, Sandro Ramirez and Sergi Samper.

Meanwhile, Anaitz Arbilla and Abraham Gonzalez are both injured for the visitors, while Oscar Duarte and Alvaro Gonzalez are both suspended.

Recent form (League)

Barcelona: WWWLL

Espanyol: WLDLL

Betting odds and tips

Barcelona have scored 16 goals without reply in their last three games and can be expected to cruise to their seventh-straight home victory against their city rivals.

You can back Barcelona to Win to Nil at 10/11 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 08/05/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (08/05/2016 13:30:09) but are subject to change.