After securing their second Champions League final in three years on Tuesday night, it is time to concentrate on wrapping up a third League title on the trot for Guardiola’s men. It will be another opportunity to add to their already bulging trophy cabinet. Any notions of winning the league tonight were dashed by a 6-2 demolition of Sevilla by Real Madrid, leaving the Blaugrana with the objective of reducing the four points deficit they need from their remaining three games to taste success. In yesterday’s press conference Guardiola dismissed resting any of his star names for tonight’s Catalan derby with city rivals Espanyol. He will be more than aware that in the previous six encounters between these sides at the Camp Nou, Barcelona had only managed two victories.
Espanyol’s poor form in the second half of the league campaign has seen them struggle, registering a mere fourteen points. Barcelona also showed a recent dip in form, suffering their second defeat of the season to lowly Real Sociedad last week. Sergio Garcia and Baena will both miss out due to injury for the visitors, while Barcelona’s recent injury worries seem to be taking a positive turn. Bojan is the latest to have returned to full training this week, after a month long absence due to a cruciate ligament tear. Captain Carles Puyol and Andres Iniesta both played a full part in the midweek match and seem to have shrugged off their recent knocks, while Eric Abidal has made a miraculous return after being expected to take no further part this season.
One would expect Abidal and Bojan to both be on the bench as a precaution. However, Puyol, who is short of match practice, could well get a starting berth on the left of a backline comprising of Alves, Pique and Mascherano. Busquets, Iniesta and Xavi are expected to start in midfield, however don’t discount Thiago who has impressed in his last few games at midfield – securing a goal and a man of the match performance last Saturday. Up front, the attacking trident of Messi, Villa and Pedro should impress. Pedro managed to score in midweek. However, neither he nor Villa have been their prolific selves in recent games, with Messi carrying the forward line on his own with regard to registering goals. Maybe tonight they will recapture the magic that set the league alight during the first half of the season.
In conclusion, Barcelona has too much quality to allow Espanyol to take any points from tonight’s home fixture. Expect a high tempo game with Abidal and Bojan to make cameo appearances from the bench.
Probable line up:
Valdes, Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Puyol, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Pedro, Messi, Villa
Score Prediction:
FC Barcelona 3 – RCD Espanyol 0
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