Xavi’s team has to win the derby if they want to return to the Champions League spots

Real Madrid is 16 points away but it will be reduced to a 13 point gap if Barcelona beat Espanyol and 10 if it wins the postponed match against Rayo

In a crazy, fast-paced game full of goals, Atletico Madrid managed a win(4–3) after Getafe’s comeback and Felipe’s expulsion in the second half. The rojiblancos were epic and, incidentally, snatched fourth place from Barca by one point, placing themselves ahead (39–38). Barça will have to do their homework in the derby — a draw is required to return to the Champions League spots.

Real Madrid sought to increase the gap at the top by beating Villarreal but ended up with a goalless draw. At 54 points, four more than Sevilla, which is second; 14 more than Betis, third; 15 more than Atlético, fourth and 16 more than Barça, which could be reduced to 10 if they win the two games they have in hand(Espanyol and Rayo), there could be a surprise turn of events.

Espanyol and Barcelona meet in most evenly matched derby in recent years. It’s a derby in which anything can happen. Espanyol needs a knock-on effect to recover the level exhibited at the start of the campaign, and Barcelona seeks to reinforce its comeback with a victory against its neighbor.

According to what has been seen in recent weeks, Barcelona starts as the favorite to win the 3 points, but Espanyol has shown this season that they can put any rival in Cornellá on the ropes.

Barcelona’s problems in front of the goal are gradually falling behind. The blaugrana team has scored 20 goals in their last 10 matches in all competitions. However, Barça’s defensive problems persist, and they have only kept a clean sheet in 2 of their last 10 official games, while Espanyol have scored in the last 7 league games.

Barcelona’s impressive win against Atlético, together with the players who have arrived in the winter market, has brought a sense of conviction back at the Camp Nou. Xavi’s men have gone 7 games without losing and haven’t lost away from home since October 27th. In addition, they have won 4 of their last 6 league games and, if we talk about the duels against Espanyol, they have won 4 of the last 5 derbies.

Espanyol’s recent performance isn’t all that great. The periquitos have added a point in the last 4 matchdays, and have lost in the last 2 games played in Cornellá against Elche and Betis.

In this situation, it seems unlikely that the hosts will surprise Barcelona, ​​but Espanyol’s potential is much higher than what has been observed in the last month and a half. The Blue and Whites are expected to be highly motivated against their eternal rival. One cannot forget that this season Espanyol has been able to upset Real Madrid and Real Sociedad in Cornellá, and that they put Atlético on the ropes, who got the win in stoppage time.