Espanyol vs Barcelona
La Liga 2018-19
Venue: RCDE Stadium, Barcelona
Date: Saturday, December 8, 2018
Kick-off: 7.45pm GMT
Espanyol host Catalan rivals Barcelona on Saturday looking to arrest a slide following a promising start to the season.
One of their best starts to a campaign in recent memory has been curtailed by three back-to-back losses, but Rubi's men have rarely been in better shape to end a long winless run against their rivals in the league.
Barcelona have won 14 and drawn four of their previous 18 games against Espanyol and another victory on Saturday will resign their rivals to their worst run for over six years.
Follow all the latest news and build-up with Standard Sport's LIVE blog. Scroll down for predictions, betting tips and odds, TV channel, head to head history and live stream information.
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Team news
Luis Suarez is in contention to return having missed two weeks with a knee injury, though may not be risked. Arthur is also in line to return for the derby. Arturo Vidal has been out with a fever and could come into the side.
Malcom has been sidelined until the new year after coming off injured against Cultural Leonesa in the Copa del Rey, joining Sergi Roberto and Rafinha on the sidelines.
Naldo and Sergio Garcia are out for the hosts.
Prediction
Betting tips via Betfair | UK users only | Subject to change
Match odds
- Espanyol: 5/1
- Draw: 18/5
- Barcelona: 8/15
First goalscorer odds
- Lionel Messi: 11/4
- Luis Suarez: 7/2
- Borja Iglesias: 13/2
- Pablo Piatti: 12/1
Click here to find the latest match odds and place a bet.
TV, online and live stream coverage
Eleven Sports have secured exclusive rights to La Liga coverage in the UK this season.
Fans can watch the match on Eleven Sports through iOS mobile and tablet apps as well as Android mobile.
You can also follow all the action with Standard Sport's LIVE blog.
Head to Head
Barcelona have not lost to Espanyol in the league since the turn of the decade, winning 14 and drawing four since a 2-1 reserve at Camp Nou in February 2009.
Espanyol's record in better in the Copa del Rey, winning 10 in January but went on to lose the second leg 2-0 to still be eliminated.
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