Surprise team challenges leaders in derby

FC Barcelona faces a very special task in its first game of the new year. Hansi Flick’s team will not only be facing their city rivals in the derby against Espanyol, but also one of the biggest surprises of the LaLiga season so far. The underdogs, who only returned to the Spanish top flight two years ago, have had a phenomenal autumn and are currently in fifth place, which could even be enough to qualify for the Champions League.

With five wins from as many league games, Manolo Gonzalez’s team is also one of the strongest teams in the competition. Only their big city rivals can currently boast a better run of form. This derby is therefore expected to be a high-class game in which the underdogs will do everything they can to beat the Blaugrana for the first time in eight years. So could a bet on the hosts be worthwhile in Espanyol vs. Barcelona?

Without a doubt, the fifth-placed team poses a serious challenge for the leaders. Their winning streak of five consecutive games without dropping a point is particularly impressive. The recipe for success for Manolo Gonzalez’s team is their consistent play against the ball. With 17 goals conceded in as many games, the Catalans have conceded only two more goals than Villarreal, who have the best defense in the country. In the last five games, Dmitrovic, the goalkeeper of the surprise team, has only had to pick the ball out of his net twice.

However, this defensive stability has come at the expense of the offense. With only 22 goals scored this season, they have by far the worst attack in the top 5. Accordingly, the forecast for Espanyol vs. Barcelona promises few goals.

Even though the hosts will be a tough test for the league leaders, betting on the underdogs is still not advisable. Hansi Flick’s team is in such outstanding form that Espanyol’s winning streak pales in comparison. Since their defeat in the Clasico on October 26, the Catalans have won every single league game and regained their place at the top of the table.

Barca fans are also particularly delighted that Raphinha, last season’s best player, seems to be back to full fitness after his two-month injury break. After struggling initially, he is now in top form with four goals in his last three league games and is a hot candidate to score in the derby. With Bet365 offering good odds on a goal from the Brazilian in the Espanyol vs. Barcelona game, it could be well worth placing such a bet.

Espanyol – Barcelona Head-to-head record

In a direct comparison, the mighty FC Barcelona naturally has the upper hand. With 23 defeats in the last 35 encounters, it is clear that the city rivals are the underdogs in this match. Espanyol’s last victory against Barca was eight years ago.

Espanyol – Barcelona Tip

In the first game of the new year, a strong underdog will take on the big favorites in the derby. The big problem from Manolo Gonzalez’s team’s point of view is that their big rivals can point to an even longer winning streak. When betting on the outcome of the game, Hansi Flick’s team should therefore be the ones to back.

In addition to betting on the 3-way, it could be worth betting on few goals, as the hosts have one of the best defenses in the league but often struggle in attack. In Espanyol vs. Barcelona, you can also bet on Raphinha, who has recently returned to full fitness, to score at attractive odds.