MX23RW : Thursday, May 9 13:37:57| >> :60:2097:2097:
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Barcelona logo
La Liga
Dec 7, 2014 at 4pm UK
 
Espanyol logo

5-1

Messi (45', 50', 81'), Pique (53'), Pedro (77')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Garcia (13')

Preview: Barcelona vs. Espanyol

Sports Mole previews the Catalan derby between Barcelona and Espanyol in La Liga.

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique will be targeting a seventh successive win when his team host Espanyol in the Catalan derby on Sunday.

Enrique has witnessed his side recovered from defeats to Real Madrid and Celta Vigo respectively to remain just two points behind in-form Real in the La Liga table.

With the club's crucial Champions League encounter with Paris Saint-Germain coming up on Wednesday, Enrique could make several alterations to the team that edged out Valencia last weekend.

The likes of Neymar, Luis Suarez and Xavi could all drop to the substitutes' bench, with Pedro, Ivan Rakitic and Rafinha, who was suspended in midweek, potentially coming into the starting lineup.

Espanyol travel to Camp Nou having ended a run of five games without a win by registering a 2-1 victory over Levante.

That triumph saw the Periquitos move up to 12th place in the league standings to create distance between themselves and the relegation zone.

Coach Sergio is unlikely to make alterations to his side, but the Spaniard will be relying on Felipe Caicedo to provide a threat against the home backline.

The former Manchester City striker had gone seven games without a goal before netting last weekend, and Sergio will be hoping that's the start of a improved run in attack.

Barcelona:

Form in La Liga: WLLWWW
Form in all competitions: WWWWWW

Possible starting lineup: Bravo; Alves, Mathieu, Pique, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Mascherano; Pedro, Messi, Rafinha

Espanyol:

Form in La Liga: LDLDLW
Form in all competitions: DLDLWW

Possible starting lineup: Casilla, Colotto, Arbilla, Fuentes, Bertrand, Sanchez, Sevilla, Canas, Vazquez, Garcia, Caicedo

Sports Mole says: 4-0


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Barcelona's Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic celebrates with his teammate midfielder Sergi Samper after scoring during the Spanish Copa del Rey (King's Cup) round of 32 first leg football match S.A.D. Huesca vs FC Barcelona at El Alcoraz stadium in Huesca
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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid34276174225287
2GironaGirona34235673423174
3Barcelona34227570432773
4Atletico MadridAtletico34214963392467
5Athletic Bilbao341710755332261
6Real Sociedad341412848351354
7Real BetisBetis34131384339452
8Valencia34138133739-247
9Villarreal34129135658-245
10Getafe341013114147-643
11AlavesAlaves34118153238-641
12Sevilla341011134546-141
13Osasuna34116173751-1439
14Las PalmasLas Palmas34107173043-1337
15Celta Vigo34810164052-1234
16Rayo Vallecano34713142743-1634
17Mallorca34614142740-1332
18CadizCadiz34414162349-2626
19Granada3449213664-2821
RAlmeria34211213367-3417


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