Preview: Espanyol vs. Barcelona

Espanyol will be looking to beat local rivals Barcelona when the sides meet at the Estadi Cornella-El Prat on Sunday evening.

Neither team has much to play for with regards to league positions, with the hosts firmly established in mid-table while Barcelona wrapped up their 22nd La Liga title two weeks ago.

Espanyol have lost three of their last four games, including last weekend's 2-0 defeat at Deportivo La Coruna.

If the visitors win they will be on course to finish the season with 100 points, which would be a record total for a La Liga side.

Espanyol coach Javier Aguirre will be without midfielder Sergio Tejera, who is suspended for the match.

Tito Vilanova will be unable to call upon the services of injured pair Lionel Messi and Carles Puyol. Messi has suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury and is unlikely to play again this season.

Recent form

Espanyol: DWLLDL

Barcelona: WWDWWW

Possible starting lineups

Espanyol: Alvarez; Rodriguez, Colotto, Alvarez, Javi Lopez; Baena, Verdu, Mubarak, Gomez; Stuani, Sergio Garcia

Barcelona: Pinto; Dani Alves, Correia, Pique, Jordi Alba; Busquets, Iniesta, Xavi; Tello, Sanchez, Villa

Sports Mole says: 1-2