Espanyol lineup vs. Barcelona: Predicted XI for Barcelona derby

Alejo Veliz is expected to feature in the Espanyol XI on Sunday afternoon, as the Blue and Whites continue their 2024-25 La Liga campaign with a clash against division leaders Barcelona.

The 21-year-old, who is on loan at the club from Tottenham Hotspur, has only managed one La Liga goal this season, and he started on the bench against Sevilla in the league last weekend.

Veliz was at his best in the Copa del Rey on Thursday night, though, scoring a hat trick in his side's 4-0 win over San Tirso, and the forward could now be in line for a spot in the starting side in the Barcelona derby.

Pol Lozano picked up a muscular problem after coming off the bench on Thursday and will therefore miss out this weekend, while Fernando Calero and Edu Exposito will also be unavailable for selection due to injury issues.

Espanyol's squad should be boosted by the return of Jose Gragera, though, with the midfielder set to overcome a foot problem, and he could feature in the middle of the away side's midfield on Sunday afternoon.

Head coach Manolo Gonzalez will make changes from the side that started in the Copa del Rey, with Javi Puado, Alex Kral, Joan Garcia and Alvaro Tejero among those set to return to the XI here.

Puado is Espanyol's leading goalscorer in La Liga this term, having found the back of the net on three occasions.

Espanyol possible starting lineup: Garcia; El Hilali, Kumbulla, Cabrera, Olivan; Tejero, Kral, Gragera, Carreras; Puado, Veliz

> Click here to see how Barcelona could line up for this match