Primera Division - Barcelona vs Espanyol

Barcelona must win. Yes, they could hope that Real and Sevilla both slip up, but anything short of three points can potentially knock them out of the title race at worst. Barca's last great hope for any silverware this season is coming from the ability to defend the Liga title.

For Espanyol, their league campaign may be over, but local pride is at stake. It is after all a Catalan derby, ala Liverpool vs Everton.


Unlike last season where Barca had the title wrapped up by this stage, things have been a lot harder in this campaign. Barca were trailing the title the race by some margin for much of the first half of the season. This was due to Sevilla's great start to the season. However, at the trun of the year, Barca recovered and lead the pack for much of the previous months. Then came a draw with Betis that allowed Real Madrid to seize the initiative, and now they find themselves not havind their fate ion their own hands. Even two wins now may not be enough due to their porr head to head record against Real Madrid in the two El Classicos.

Again we study the facts and they kinda give a shimmer of hope for Barca. Real Madrid have never won the final eight Liga games. Any Real's loss could be Barca's gain.

At bottom end of the table, Espanyol finished just two points north of the relegation zone last season but won the Copa del Rey, the UEFA Cup their eventual reward. They performed better than expected in the UEFA Cup, crushing the likes of Werder to reach the final, where they lost narrowly to reigning champions Sevilla. They've improved in La Liga this season and find themselves in mid-table mediocrity.

There is plenty of talent in this team; Luis Garcia, Ivan de la Pena and Raul Tamudo are all household names, famed for their attacking prowess. At the back, the likes of Torrejon defend with ability but also with desire. Yet the team always seemed to not reach their potential. They too often fail to gel and concentrate, shown by recent loss to Athletic and poor draws against Levante and Betis.

Barca, unbeaten at home this season will need a win, so may attack from the outset; after all, their last league win came from a 2nd minute goal from Ronaldinho. The Brazilian is suspended for this tie after being sent off 2 weeks ago. This is a major blow, given that he scored Barca's winner that day. Even with Ronaldinho out, Eto'o and Messi are set to be real threats to Espanyol.

Puyol was rested from Spain's midweek game and is set to play in the centre of defence. Barca's back line has not always been steady this season but the captain has pulled his back line together recently to see some much-improved form.

Inconsistent Espanyol could relate to that. They've veered between world-class and abysmal, sometimes all in the same month. A fringe side pushed Real Madrid so far only to lose out due to a last minute winner by Higuain in a 4-3 thriller. A 5-1 home defeat to Getafe showed it at its worst.

The Catalan derby is one of Spain's oldest and fiercest. It predates the national league, being contested since the days of the Campionat de Catalunya and later the Mediterranean League. The latter ran during the Civil War days; a stark reminder that often Spanish rivalries are political as well as sporting. Indeed, Barcelona are seen as the far more "Catalan" of the two clubs, with a wealth of pro-Catalan history to its name. Espanyol - as the name suggests - have a more Spanish, centralist identity. (from goal.com)

In La Liga, Espanyol managed a 3-1 win over Barca back in January. They'll be itching to do the same again, but history is on Barca's side; Barca has the better record of the two in Liga competition.

FORM GUIDE
Barcelona
After that terrible draw with Betis, it was all Barca could do to keep the pace with leaders Real.

Barcelona - Getafe 1-0
Atletico Madrid - Barcelona 0-6
Barcelona - Real Betis 1-1
Real Sociedad - Barcelona 0-2
Barcelona - Levante 1-0

Espanyol

Recreativo - Espanyol 0-1
Espanyol - Getafe 1-5
Real Madrid - Espanyol 4-3
Espanyol - Atletico Madrid 2-1
Sevilla - Espanyol 3-1


TEAM NEWS
Barcelona
Edmilson is suspended. The defensive line is fully fit, while Iniesta and Xavi should start in midfield. Barca's "tridente" is set to be altered thanks to Ronaldinho's suspension; Giuly may be the one to capitalise. Saviola is also available.

PROBABLE STARTING XI
Valdes
Zambrotta, Puyol, Thuram, Gio
Xavi, Deco, Iniesta
Messi, Eto'o, Giuly

Espanyol
The players have returned from international duty. The likes of Kameni and Luis Garcia are fit and ready to play, but Uruguayan striker Pandiani may miss out due to injury. Torrejon, however, is fit and ready after returning from U-21 duty.

Moha is suspended. Other than that, Espanyol are expected to deploy their typical 4-4-2, with de la Pena and Moises in midfield.

PROBABLE STARTING XI
Kameni
Velasco, Lacruz, Jarque, Chica
Rufete, Moises Hurtado, de la Pena, Riera
Luis Garcia, Tamudo


KEY PLAYERS
Barcelona
Eto'o is the top scorer against Espanyol out of the current squad, with five goals in eight games. Deco has been a stand-out recently.

Espanyol
De la Pena needs little introduction to either side of the Barcelona divide. He started his career at the Camp Nou. Much of his good work provides Luis Garcia with goalscoring chances. The striker has managed ten Liga goals already so far this season. Alongside Raul Tamudo, he forms a deadly partnership.