Barcelona x Espanyol – Palpite & Prognóstico (20.11.2021)

There will be fireworks when Barcelona and Espanyol face each other in the Catalan derby on Saturday evening. Barca aim to revive their title hopes, and they are likely to go all guns blazing at los Periquitos. Sergi Barjuan’s men dropped a three-goal advantage in a 3-3 draw with Celta before the international break, but they are surely capable of beating Espanyol in front of home fans.

All Ansu Fati, Nico Gonzalez, Sergino Dest, and Moussa Wague are sidelined with injuries, while Sergio Aguero is out of contention through heart problems. Espanyol, on the other hand, have been struggling on the travels this season, and given their six-game winless run on the road, Barca will not have a better chance than this to return to winning ways. Both Keidi Bare and Oscar Gil should miss the Catalan derby with injuries.

HIGHLIGHTED PLAYER

Memphis Depay

Memphis Depay is a Dutch winger who started his professional career at PSV Eindhoven. During the 2014/2015 Eredivisie campaign the pacey footballer was on Manchester United’s radar and on June 12, 2015 the Premier League club confirmed the signing of the Dutchman. Many people expected that he would impress in the 2015/2016 Premier League season, but the former PSV ace played below expectations for the Red Devils, scoring only two goals (one assist) during the season.

After playing only for league games for Man Utd in the 2016/2017 season, Memphis Depay was sold to Olympique Lyon on January 20, 2017. Depay signed a four-and-a-half year deal with les Gones for a fee of around £16 million. The Dutch winger was producing fine performances for Lyon in the 2016/2017 season; he scored five goals for the club, while providing eight assists for his teammates.

Memphis Depay made his senior debut for Netherlands on October 15, 2013 in a 2-0 win over Turkey. Depay did well to win the 2011 European Championship with Netherlands U17 team.

HIGHLIGHTED TEAM

Espanyol

Espanyol are a Catalan club that plays in Spanish La Liga. Espanyol were founded in 1900 and their original name was Sociedad Espanola de Football. In 1901 the Catalan club changed its name to Club Espanol de Futbol. Los Periquitos used to play in bright yellow shirts in the past, but current colour of the team’s home kit is blue and white.

Espanyol’s fiercest rivals are Barcelona and the two teams face each other in the Catalan derby (Derbi barceloni). Espanyol have always been in Barca’s shadow, but it has to be noted that los Periquitos have won four Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup trophies).

The likes of Raul Tamudo, Jose Maria, Antonio Argiles and Mauricio Pochettino are players with most appearances for the Catalan outfit. Espanyol play their home games at Estadio Cornella-El Prat and the capacity of the stadium is 40,500. Los Periquitos have never participated in the Champions League.