Barcelona: Barcelona will expect a tougher test from Espanyol than in recent years as they host their local rivals on Sunday looking to eat into Real Madrid's six-point lead at the top of La Liga.
With Zinedine Zidane's side absent from La Liga action this week, on Club World Cup duty, the champions have the opportunity to make up ground on their rivals and will be emboldened by recent dominant wins over Borussia Moenchengladbach and Osasuna.
The visit of an Espanyol side that are unbeaten in nine league games, however, should provide a sterner test than their last two outings.
Barca's less glamorous neighbours have developed a tougher edge under the guidance of former Atletico Madrid and Watford coach Quique Sanchez Flores, who has ironed out the team's defensive problems and helped them win four of their last six games.
Barca have not lost to Espanyol since 2009 and have outscored them by 19 to one in their last five league meetings at the Nou Camp, but midfielder David Lopez believes his side are ready to make their mark on the derby again.
Espanyol had two players sent off in their penultimate visit to the Nou Camp which sparked an angry confrontation in the tunnel with Barca players, and Lopez does not want a repeat of those scenes on Sunday.
Injured defender Jeremy Mathieu is the only absentee for Barca, who beat Qatari side Al Ahli 5-3 in a friendly in the Gulf state on Tuesday. Pablo Piatti, Espanyol's second-top scorer with five goals, is a doubt with a hamstring injury.
Comments
0 comment