Espanyol vs Barcelona Prediction and Betting Tips | 3rd January 2026

Spanish football returns to the fold with another edition of the Derbi Barceloni this weekend as Espanyol lock horns with Hansi Flick's Barcelona side in a crucial La Liga encounter at the RCDE Stadium on Saturday. The two teams have experienced contrasting fortunes this season and will want to win this game.

Espanyol vs Barcelona Preview

Barcelona are currently at the top of the La Liga standings and have been in exceptional form so far this season. The Blaugrana eased past Villarreal by a comfortable 2-0 margin in their previous game and will look to achieve a similar result this weekend.

Espanyol, on the other hand, are in fifth place in the league table at the moment and have consistently punched above their weight this season. The home side edged Athletic Bilbao to a 2-1 victory last week and will be confident ahead of this fixture.

Espanyol vs Barcelona Head-to-Head and Key Numbers

• Barcelona have a good historical record against Espanyol in the Derbi Barceloni and have won 128 out of the 218 matches played between the two teams, as opposed to Espanyol's 44 victories.
• Barcelona have won each of their last seven matches in all competitions, with their previous defeat coming by a 3-0 margin at the hands of Chelsea in a UEFA Champions League match in November last year.
• Espanyol have won each of their last three matches in all competitions, with their previous defeat coming by a 1-0 margin at the hands of Atletico Baleares in the second round of the Copa del Rey last month.
• After consecutive draws in La Liga, Barcelona have won each of their last three matches against Espanyol in all competitions and have scored a total of nine goals in these three victories.

Espanyol vs Barcelona Prediction

Barcelona have been a formidable force in recent weeks and have carved out a four-point lead for themselves at the top of the league table. The likes of Raphinha and Lamine Yamal can be lethal on their day and will look to make their mark this weekend.

Espanyol have exceeded expectations this season and will be intent on pulling off an upset on Saturday. Barcelona are the better team at the moment, however, and should be able to win this game.

Prediction: Espanyol 1-3 Barcelona

Espanyol vs Barcelona Betting Tips

Tip 1: Result - Barcelona to win

Tip 2: Game to have over 2.5 goals - Yes

Tip 3: Barcelona to score first - Yes

Edited by Aditya Hosangadi