Espanyol vs Barcelona Prediction & Betting Tips (3 January)

The Pericos of Espanyol Barcelona are clearly having a surprising season, being 5th in La Liga, 2 points behind the top 4, Villarreal, but one day ahead of the Yellow Submarine. Gonzalez Manolo's men can no longer hide, and must remain level throughout the second half of the season in order to reach a European competition next season. To date, before leaving for the Christmas break, Espanyol won at San Mamés de Bilbao 1-2, thus piling up a fifth victory in a row after Getafe 0-1, Vallecano 1-0, Vigo 0-1 and Sevilla FC 2-1. Let's still note the hitch experienced in the 1/32nd final of the Copa del Rey in the Balearic Islands, 1-0 defeat.

 On the other side of the median, we find FC Barcelona, ​​defending champion of Spain, currently holding the leadership throne ahead of Real Madrid. It's quite simple, since the defeat at the end of October at the Bernabéu against Real Madrid 2-1, Barça has simply not lost in the elite, thus stringing together eight victories. Against Elche 3-1, Celta Vigo 2-4, Athletic Bilbao 4-0, Alaves 3-1, Atlético Madrid 3-1, Bétis 3-5, Osasuna 2-0 and Villarreal 0-2. 

Having left for Morocco to compete in the CAN with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Pickel will not participate in this poster. Absent due to injury for many weeks, captain Javi Puado could be back today. The Terrats midfielder should remain in care. Full-back Romero scored his 3rd goal of the season against Bilbao. He also delivered 2 assists in La Liga, or 5 contributions, which is not insignificant for a player with a defensive vocation. Against Bilbao, Pere Milla scored his golaso, his 6th of the season, which makes him the same scorer for this team in the league ahead of Roberto Fernandez (4 goals). At FC Barcelona, ​​the Dane Andreas Christensen is injured in an anterior ligament and will miss the next few weeks of competition. He joined Gavi (convalescent) on the list of players who played billiards this season.

Sidelined to improve his mental health following his loss against Chelsea, Ronald Araujo, missing all the end-of-year 2025 posters, would be ready to return. Suffering from a dislocated shoulder, Dani Olmo could remain in treatment while Pedri should be back after missing the clash at Villarreal. Brazilian international Raphinha (7 goals, 3 assists) returns in great form. Lamine Yamal (7 goals, 7 assists in La Liga) also brings his share of satisfaction like the scorers Ferran Torres (2nd top scorer in La Liga with 11 goals) and Robert Lewandowski (8 goals). The probable line-ups for Espanyol Barcelona - FC Barcelona: Espanyol Barcelona: Dmitrovic - El Hilali, Calero, Cabrera, Romeo - Exposito, Lozano - Dolan, Milla, Puado (or Garcia) - Fernandez. FC Barcelona: Garcia - Koundé, Cubarsi, Martin, Baldé - Garcia, Pedri - Yamal, Fermin, Raphinha - Torres.