Espanyol is currently in the bottom half of the league table at 17th, while its opponent Valencia CF is also in the lower half at 20th.Espanyol was defeated on November 3 against FC Barcelona by

Barcelona face a tricky Catalan derby test on Sunday as they host Espanyol at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium in this key Spanish Primera fixture.  It's been a superb start to the season for the league-leading Blaugrana under new boss Hansi Flick,

Barcelona could go nine points clear at the top of La Liga this weekend if they beat RCD Espanyol at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Sunday. Hansi Flick's side destroyed Real Madrid in El Clasico last weekend to open up a six-point advantage and victory over Manolo Gonzalez's men who occupy 17th in the rankings could stretch that with Los Blancos not in action this weekend due to flash flooding in Valencia.