Barcelona is on the verge of clinching the La Liga title. A win or a draw in their upcoming match away to local rivals Espanyol on Thursday will be enough to secure the league crown, adding it to the Spanish Super Cup and Copa del Rey trophies they have already won this season. While Espanyol have successfully avoided relegation since returning to La Liga, they may find it challenging to withstand Barcelona`s formidable attack, which has troubled opponents throughout the season.
Furthermore, Robert Lewandowski is competing for the La Liga Golden Boot award. This provides Barcelona with an additional incentive to score multiple goals in the upcoming clash. Having been prevented from celebrating the title previously by a late winner from Real Madrid, Barcelona will be determined to seal their fate now that it rests solely in their hands.
Match Information
- Date: Thursday, May 15
- Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
- Location: RCDE Stadium, Cornella de Llobregat, Spain
- Live Stream: ESPN+
- Odds: Espanyol +700; Draw +425; Barcelona -280
Title Scenarios
To clinch the La Liga title on Thursday, Barcelona must either win or draw against Espanyol.
Previous Encounter
In the last fixture between these two teams in Barcelona, Dani Olmo delivered a standout performance, scoring two goals in the first half. Barcelona quickly established dominance, opening the scoring after just 12 minutes and building a 3-1 lead by halftime. Espanyol managed to pull one goal back, but it wasn`t enough to prevent a 3-1 defeat. While a loss, a 3-1 scoreline against Barcelona can be considered a respectable result.
Analysis and Prediction
Barcelona to lead at halftime:
Given the significance of the title decider, Barcelona will be highly motivated to start the match strongly. This aligns with their usual attacking approach. Expect Barcelona to come out aggressively and likely hold a lead by halftime, setting the stage for the title celebration.
Predicted Starting Lineups
Espanyol:
- Joan Garcia
- Omar El Hilali
- Marash Kumbulla
- Leandro Cabrera
- Carlos Romero
- Edu Exposito
- Urko Gonzalez
- Jofre Carreras
- Alex Kral
- Javier Puado
- Roberto Fernandez
Barcelona:
- Wojciech Szczesny
- Gerard Martin
- Pau Cubarsi
- Ronald Araujo
- Eric Garcia
- Pedri
- Frenkie De Jong
- Raphinha
- Dani Olmo
- Lamine Yamal
- Ferran Torres
Player to Watch
Lamine Yamal, Barcelona: While Barcelona boasts an array of exciting attacking talent, Lamine Yamal stands out as a truly unique spectacle. Despite being only 17 years old, Yamal has already made over 100 appearances for Barcelona and has become a crucial winger for both his club and the Spanish national team. Comparisons are inevitably drawn to legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, players whose early career milestones Yamal is currently surpassing. It`s difficult to take your eyes off Yamal; his exceptional vision allows him to create opportunities from virtually anywhere on the pitch.
Match Prediction
Expect Barcelona to score early and frequently in this match, potentially accumulating a high score. With players like Raphinha aiming for individual recognition and Lewandowski chasing the Golden Boot, Barcelona will maintain an aggressive posture even after the outcome is decided, driven by the pursuit of personal accolades.
Predicted Score: Espanyol 1, Barcelona 5
Dominic Ashworth