Text size

La Liga leaders Barcelona have the chance to move nine points clear of Real Madrid this weekend with a win in the Catalan derby against city rivals Espanyol.

After the 4-0 away win against Real Madrid last weekend, Hansi Flick’s team is exuding great confidence and can build a huge lead over their arch-rivals.

Madrid’s game in Valencia was postponed after deadly floods in the region, as was nearby Villarreal’s game against Rayo Vallecano.

The derby offers Barcelona the chance to flex its muscles in front of the home fans after defeating the champions at the Santiago Bernabeu last weekend.

Previously, Barca beat Bayern Munich 4-1 in the Champions League and Flick, who took over from Xavi Hernandez this summer, said the key to his team’s form was the good atmosphere at the club.

“When I started with my team and all the experts as well as (sporting director) Deco and the president (Joan Laporta), we said we have to create an atmosphere in which the players can show their best performance,” the coach explained after the Madrid thrashing .

“The atmosphere is really good and the mentality in the team is really excellent.”

Barcelona have won 10 games in La Liga and lost just once in their first 11 games, inflicting Madrid’s first defeat in Spain’s top flight in over a year.

Flick believes his side are “in (a state of) flow” and that seems evident on the pitch, with veteran striker Robert Lewandowski in sensational form up front, flanked by teenage star Lamine Yamal and Raphinha in the shape of his career.

Only two teams have conceded more goals in La Liga than Espanyol and their visit to the Olympic Stadium offers Barcelona the chance to add to their top tally of 37 goals scored.

The 36-year-old Lewandowski scored twice in the Clasico and has 14 league goals. The striker is looking back to his best after struggling to make an impact last season.

Flick operates with a high defensive line that appears risky at times, but helped them defeat both Bayern and Spanish and European champions Madrid.

“We are continuing with our idea, we have a flow at the moment and have to move on,” said Flick.

“(The strategy) looks dangerous, but it is not dangerous.”

Espanyol, 17th, usually relish the chance to cause trouble for their city rivals, but Barcelona’s ruthless form makes this derby a particularly formidable challenge.

Former Espanyol president Joan Collet, who led the club between 2012 and 2016, was particularly pessimistic.

“Unfortunately I see very little chance of winning, I won’t think about the game or watch it,” he told Radio Despi.

“I’m going to get off the map, I’m going to turn off my phone and when it’s over I’m going to see what happened.”

“It’s not that I have no hope, it’s that they took all hope away from me.”

Elsewhere, fourth-placed Atletico Madrid will look to overturn their recent home defeat to 18th-placed Las Palmas.

Sevilla started the season poorly, but the form of Belgian winger Lukebakio has been crucial to their recent rise up the table. The explosive striker struck twice against Espanyol last week and with Chidera Ejuke out injured, he is Sevilla’s key weapon against Real Sociedad on Sunday.

0 – Espanyol have not won a single away game this season

5 – Real Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro has kept the most clean sheets in La Liga

148 – Barcelona have the most recoveries in the opposition half in the top five European leagues this season

Friday (all times GMT)

Alaves vs Mallorca (2000)

Saturday

Osasuna vs. Valladolid (1300), Girona vs. Leganes (1515)

Sunday

Atletico Madrid vs Las Palmas (1300), Barcelona vs Espanyol (1515), Sevilla vs Real Sociedad (1730), Athletic Club vs Real Betis (2000)

Monday

Celta Vigo vs Getafe (2000)

Postponed due to flooding

Villarreal against Rayo Vallecano and Valencia against Real Madrid

rbs/dmc