Barcelona have not been too impressive in their La Liga performances this season, as they currently lie at the third position in the table with Real Madrid at the top. Barcelona can climb to second place if they manage to defeat Espanyol at the Camp Nou on Sunday.
The La Liga giants have a huge chance to close their gap with Real to three points with a win, as the table-toppers were involved in the World Club Final on Sunday. Barcelona cannot afford to think too much about the table, and just concentrate on winning their fixture against Espanyol.
The clash is expected to be special as it is a derby, and one can expect some close battle between both the teams as one has witnessed some heated affairs between Barca and Espanyol in the past. With players like Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, they are a dangerous attacking side, who can defeat any top teams in the world.
Barcelona manager Luis Enrique explained that it is not going to be an easy task to break Espanyol's defence, which is strong.
"They are solid at the back and they defend as a team. They sit back and don't leave many spaces or give you many chances. Also, they break with speed thanks to the quick and skillful players they have up front," the club's official website quoted manager as saying.
Enrique is also aware that Espanyol will not be easy as they have not lost a single match in the La Liga after their loss to Celta Vigo in September, which explains their good form. The manager wants his team to be wary of the counter attacks.
"The derby is a very important game for all Barça fans, it is a different game. Both teams are on a positive run. Espanyol are a solid team and they are hard to score against, we will have to be wary of their counterattacks. It will be an intense game and we also hope it will be a good one," Enrique said.
Espanyol will not get much time on the ball, which is understood, with Barcelona always enjoying more possession. The visitors will know that and their manager Sanchez Flores will make plans accordingly, and key players like Jose Antonio Reyes and Gerard Moreno will be crucial.
Espanyol under Flores have been quite impressive in the La Liga and is not afraid of facing Barcelona as well.
"We are not overconfident or afraid. We have respect, like all rivals. We have to have the mental and physical agility to take the party to our terrain. I have seen the players well, with their feet on the ground. They are aware that they are progressing, but there is still room for work," Espnayol's official website quoted Flores as saying.
Where to watch live
Barcelona vs Espanyol is set to begin at 8:45 pm local time (1:15 am IST, 7:45 pm GMT, 2:45 pm ET).
India: TV: Sony Six and Sony Six HD. Live Streaming: Sonyliv
Spain: TV:Canal+ Partidazo
UK: TV:Sky Sports 1. Live Streaming:Sky Sports Go
USA: TV: Bein Sports. Live Streaming: Bein Sports Connect
