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Barcelona can put one hand on the La Liga trophy as they host fellow Catalan club Espanyol in a derby match on Saturday.
The Blaugrana sit six points ahead of Real Madrid, who were held to a 1-1 draw with Girona yesterday to put their title challenge on life support.
If Barcelona win this match, it would put them nine points clear with seven matches to go, a margin that would be almost impossible for Madrid to overturn, especially given the form of the two sides.
Espanyol, meanwhile, sit 10th in the table, in the midst of a brutal slide having failed to win any of their last 13 league games.
Barcelona vs. Espanyol live score
Referee: Alejandro Jose Hernandez Hernandez
Predicted lineups:
Barcelona (4-2-3-1, right to left): J. Garcia (GK) — Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde — E. Garcia, Gavi — Lamine Yamal, F. Lopez, Rashford — Lewandowski
Espanyol (4-2-3-1, right to left): Dmitrovic (GK) — El Hilali, Calero, Cabrera, Romero — Lozano, Gonzalez — Ngonge, Exposito, Dolan — R. Fernandez
MORE: An up-to-date list of the Premier League top goal scorers for the 2025/26 season
Barcelona vs. Espanyol key moments
Prematch: It will be interesting to see how many players are rested by Hansi Flick today, with the cushion in the La Liga table potentially allowing him to rotate a host of his regular starters.
One player who is likely to take the field, however, is Marcus Rashford, who has taken over for Raphinha while the Brazilian recovers from a hamstring injury. Rashford is playing for his place in the Barcelona squad, as the Catalan giants decide whether to pay big money to retain him beyond this season or send him back to Manchester United at the end of his season-long loan.
Flick on Rashford ⬇️
“It’s very important that his role isn’t limited to what he provides with the ball—and everyone knows he’s a very special player in one-on-one situations—but in the end, defense is also part of the game, and part of our style.“ pic.twitter.com/4GtWmGZGbP
— total Barça (@totalBarca) April 7, 2026
Barcelona vs. Espanyol talking points, analysis
Following the game, this section will be updated with analysis of the Barcelona vs. Espanyol match.
Barcelona vs. Espanyol reaction
Following the game, this section will be updated with post-match reaction from Hansi Flick and Manolo Gonzalez as well as various players.
Barcelona vs. Espanyol team news
Barcelona team news
MORE: An in-depth rundown of all the latest Barcelona team news and injuries
Defensive midfielder Marc Bernal, who has grown into a starting role this season, is out with a thigh injury.
Frenkie de Jong is back in the Barcelona squad after missing time due to injury, and is likely to get minutes today as he works back to full fitness.
Star winger Raphinha picked up a hamstring injury while on international duty in late March, and is expected to miss most or all of April as a result.
Espanyol team news
Defender Clemens Riedel is suspended for this match due to yellow card accumulation.
Twenty-seven-year-old winger Javi Puado tore his ACL in January and will be out for the rest of the season.
Barcelona, Espanyol upcoming schedules
Barcelona upcoming fixtures
Date Competition Match Location
Tue, Apr. 14 Champions League Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona Metropolitano (Madrid, Spain)
Wed, Apr. 22 La Liga Barcelona vs. Celta Vigo Camp Nou (Barcelona, Spain)
Sat, Apr. 25 La Liga Getafe vs. Barcelona Estadio Coliseum (Getafe, Spain)
Espanyol upcoming fixtures
Date Competition Match Location
Thu, Apr. 23 La Liga Rayo Vallecano vs. Espanyol Estadio de Vallecas (Madrid, Spain)
Mon, Apr. 27 La Liga Espanyol vs. Levante RCDE Stadium (Barcelona, Spain)
Sun, May 3 La Liga Espanyol vs. Real Madrid RCDE Stadium (Barcelona, Spain)