La Liga: Barcelona Derby is the Perfect Stage for Auba

Espanyol vs Barcelona

The transfer of Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang from Arsenal to Barcelona set the pulses racing in Catalonia while simultaneously raising blood pressures in North London.

The Gabon striker has said he moved to the Camp Nou to get Champions League football and while that is music to Barca fan’s ears, it won’t go won particularly well with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta who had a rather fractious relationship with his former captain and main striker. And while the Gunners continue their campaign without a replacement for Aubameyang, he is about to take centre stage in La Liga: Espanyol vs Barcelona.

The derby comes at a time when the two teams are experiencing mixed fortunes. Barcelona have climbed up into the top four after a good run of form, while Espanyol are sliding in the opposite direction. The last two weeks have seen back to back wins for the Blaugrana and two losses for los Periquitos, and the latest Espanyol vs Barcelona betting odds tell us both trends are about to continue.     

Talking Points

Xavi’s spending is great news for Barcelona

After a poor first half of the campaign and the off field upset of Lionel Messi’s move to Paris Saint-Germain, things have started to look a little brighter for the Blaugrana. The club began to come to life when former playing legend Xavi returned to manage the club. 

Are the good times coming back for Barca? Well, a 4-2 win over 2021 champions Atletico Madrid would certainly suggest they might be. And yes, there’s a happy feeling around the Camp Nou after a successful transfer window, which saw Aubameyang arrive at the club on a free transfer and Adama Traore joined him from Wolves on loan. Those two deals allowed Xavi to spend some money on a third Premier League star, as Manchester City’s Ferran Torres returned to Spain for a fee in the region of £55m. The former Valencia winger has impressed at the Etihad, scoring eight goals in 29 appearances but injuries and intense competition for places reduced his opportunities for the Sky Blues.

Aubameyang and Traore both featured in the victory over Atleti and the former Wolves man’s pace was a feature in Barca’s success in breaking down a resolute Rojiblancos’ defence, not once but four times. And he could be in line for a start in the derby, with Torres also in contention, while Xavi will hope Aubameyang is the perfect replacement for the retired Sergio Aguero and a foil for top scorer Memphis Depay.

Barca will be missing experienced wing back Dani Alves, who was red carded in the victory over Atletico.  

Espanyol on the slide

Los Periquitoscurrently sit 13^th in the league table, nine points clear of the drop zone, but a run of three defeat and a draw from the last four games has left their fans looking nervously over their shoulders. Having only just returned to the top flight by winning the Segunda Division head coach Vicente Moreno will be determined to arrest this slide.

Espanyol were sailing happily through to the New Year, powered on by the goals of Raul de Thomas who has scored 12, proving that he can cut it in the top flight and earning two caps for Spain in recognition. Central midfielder Sergi Darder has impressed too, making four assists, and the former Lyon star has become one of the first names on the team sheet since his arrival at Espanyol in 2018.

Moreno doesn’t have any injury worries, but he’ll take time picking his back four having seen his side concede two or more goals in each of the last five games.

History

Six wins, 15 draws and 44 defeats for Espanyol, in all competitions since 1994, has made the Catalan Derby a rather miserable experience for Espanyol over the past three decades. Barca won the return match 1-0 in November as Depay converted a second half penalty to give Xavi his first derby win as head coach. 

The head to head Espanyol vs Barcelona results have not been kind to Espanyol but then neither has their recent form. While Barca have won three, drawn two and lost one of their last six, Espanyol have won one drawn one and lost four.  

Betting Tip

	Espanyol vs Barcelona	1X2 Barcelona @ 1.79
	February 14, 04:00 (GMT+8)

Espanyol at SBOTOP odds of 4.16 and the draw at 3.49 might temp Periquitos’ fans… but not me!

Okay, Barca have only won three away from home this season, but they don’t have far to travel and this is a Blaugrana team which Xavi is beginning to make his own.

A repeat of the 1-0 win is at 6.76, but I suspect Espanyol’s defence will do well to keep it to one. 

 

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