MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 07:27:38| >> :120:31217:31217:
[monks data]
Attendance: 92,795
Barcelona logo
La Liga | Gameweek 29
Mar 30, 2019 at 3.15pm UK
 
Espanyol logo

2-0

Messi (71', 89')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez fit to start for Barcelona

Messi, Suarez fit to start for Barcelona
© Reuters
Catalan giants are hopeful that rest will help Messi to recover.

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde said he will have forwards Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez available for the derby against Espanyol on Saturday.

Messi, who scored twice in the reverse fixture which Barcelona won 4-0 in December, was ruled out of Argentina's second international match against Morocco with a groin injury, while Suarez has recovered from a sprained ankle.

When asked if the Argentinian striker would be 100 per cent, Valverde told the Spanish media: "We think so. He's been carrying a discomfort for a while, but we're trying to get him back.

"He had a few days of rest. We will be careful with him because he is vital for the rest of the season."

Barcelona currently sit at the top of LaLiga with a 10-point lead over nearest rivals Atletico Madrid and are 32 points ahead of Saturday's opponents, however Valverde, a former Espanyol player and coach, insisted both sides would have an added incentive for the match.

"We have in mind that it's a derby, which is very motivating for us and them," he said.

"After this break is the decisive part of the season and we have three games this week.

"We know what we're up against. Each match has a lot of importance and there's less time to recover."

Sergio Garcia is relishing Saturday's derby
Sergio Garcia is relishing Saturday's derby (Anthony Devlin/PA)

Espanyol forward Sergio Garcia insists his side are going into the Barcelona derby to win.

"A derby is always special," he told rcdespanyol.com.

"They are our city rivals and we are looking forward to the day of the match and to achieve a good result.

"In this type of game you never know. (The Camp Nou) is a very difficult ground but we are going with clear ideas and with the purpose of getting three points."

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Press Association Sport staff');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '62f8ea21-51f3-458f-9ddc-dc801dc3b2d3');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:match-reports,paservice:sport:uk,paservice:sport:world');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'South American stars set to feature for Barcelona'});

ID:354721: cacheID:354721:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:13130:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring against Lyon in the Champions League on March 13, 2019
Read Next:
Barcelona injury, suspension list vs. Espanyol
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Chiefs
@
Browns
6pm
Ravens
@
Giants
6pm
Jets
@
Jags
6pm
Cowboys
@
Panthers
6pm
Washington
@
Saints
6pm
Dolphins
@
Texans
6pm
Bengals
@
Titans
9.25pm
Colts
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Buccaneers
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Steelers
@
Eagles
9.25pm
Bills
@
Lions
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona17122350193138
2Real Madrid17114237162137
3Atletico MadridAtletico16105130111935
4Athletic Bilbao1795326151132
5Mallorca188371821-327
6Villarreal157532725226
7Osasuna176742225-325
8Real Sociedad167361611524
9GironaGirona176472325-222
10Sevilla176471823-522
11Real BetisBetis165651820-221
12Celta Vigo176382528-321
13Rayo Vallecano165561819-120
14Las PalmasLas Palmas165382227-518
15Getafe163761113-216
16AlavesAlaves164391827-915
17Leganes163671423-915
18Espanyol1642101528-1314
19Real ValladolidValladolid1733111234-2212
20Valencia152491323-1010


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!