Preview: In-form Espanyol welcome Barcelona in New Year DerbyShareEspanyol play host to Barcelona in LaLiga on Saturday evening in what promises to be a thriller considering the recent form of both clubs.By Ross KilvingtonFollowing a short winter break, both teams will be looking to continue building momentum in the first match of 2026.Espanyol eyeing first win over cross-city rivals since 2018Espanyol have long been the ugly sister regarding football teams in Barcelona and they have not won against their rivals since January 2018.That victory came in the Copa del Rey, with the club winning the first leg 1-0 at home. However, you have to stretch back to February 2009 for their last league victory over Barcelona, winning 2-1 in the same season that Pep Guardiola’s men won the treble.Ahead of this highly anticipated clash, Espanyol are currently on a five-game winning streak in the Spanish top flight.This run has seen them vaulted up to fifth in the league, just two points shy of fourth place.They will pin their hopes on duo Edu Expósito and Pere Milla. The former has created 40 big chances in LaLiga this term, ranking him second out of every player, while the latter has scored six league goals.If those two perform well, Espanyol have a chance of ending their eight-year winless drought on Saturday.Barcelona are on course to defend their LaLiga titleAfter losing two of their opening ten league matches, including a Clásico loss to Real Madrid, Barcelona have won eight on the bounce, the last seven all by at least a two goal margin.Combined with Madrid’s dismal form, this superb run has seen them lead the table by four points heading into 2026.Hansi Flick’s side have won their previous three matches against Espanyol and another win on Saturday will extend their advantage at the top of the table.This would pile even more pressure on Madrid and Xabi Alonso as they bid to win consecutive LaLiga titles.Lamine Yamal has scored five league goals and grabbed three assists since the start of November and he will be key in this intriguing match.Team newsThe home side will be without midfielder Charles Pickel, who is representing DR Congo at the Africa Cup of Nations and won’t be back for another few weeks.Elsewhere, Ramon Terrats and Javi Puado are both missing due to injury.Flick will be without the services of Gavi, Andreas Christensen and Ronald Araújo for the match against Espanyol.Dani Olmo is a major doubt to a shoulder issue, although Pedri could return after missing the Villarreal clash due to a calf problem.PredictionDespite Barcelona’s recent dominance in this head-to-head, Espanyol enter the match in excellent form and they can certainly cause the away side plenty of problems.Given the fact they will play a day before Madrid, this could prove to be a major incentive for Flick and his side.As such, expect Barcelona to win a ninth successive LaLiga match to begin the New Year with a bang: Espanyol 1-3 Barcelona.(Cover image from IMAGO)You can follow all the games from LaLiga on FotMob in the 2025/26 season – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.Preview: In-form Espanyol welcome Barcelona in New Year DerbyEspanyol play host to Barcelona in LaLiga on Saturday evening in what promises to be a thriller considering the recent form of both clubs.By Ross KilvingtonFollowing a short winter break, both teams will be looking to continue building momentum in the first match of 2026.Espanyol eyeing first win over cross-city rivals since 2018Espanyol have long been the ugly sister regarding football teams in Barcelona and they have not won against their rivals since January 2018.That victory came in the Copa del Rey, with the club winning the first leg 1-0 at home. However, you have to stretch back to February 2009 for their last league victory over Barcelona, winning 2-1 in the same season that Pep Guardiola’s men won the treble.Ahead of this highly anticipated clash, Espanyol are currently on a five-game winning streak in the Spanish top flight.This run has seen them vaulted up to fifth in the league, just two points shy of fourth place.They will pin their hopes on duo Edu Expósito and Pere Milla. The former has created 40 big chances in LaLiga this term, ranking him second out of every player, while the latter has scored six league goals.If those two perform well, Espanyol have a chance of ending their eight-year winless drought on Saturday.Barcelona are on course to defend their LaLiga titleAfter losing two of their opening ten league matches, including a Clásico loss to Real Madrid, Barcelona have won eight on the bounce, the last seven all by at least a two goal margin.Combined with Madrid’s dismal form, this superb run has seen them lead the table by four points heading into 2026.Hansi Flick’s side have won their previous three matches against Espanyol and another win on Saturday will extend their advantage at the top of the table.This would pile even more pressure on Madrid and Xabi Alonso as they bid to win consecutive LaLiga titles.Lamine Yamal has scored five league goals and grabbed three assists since the start of November and he will be key in this intriguing match.Team newsThe home side will be without midfielder Charles Pickel, who is representing DR Congo at the Africa Cup of Nations and won’t be back for another few weeks.Elsewhere, Ramon Terrats and Javi Puado are both missing due to injury.Flick will be without the services of Gavi, Andreas Christensen and Ronald Araújo for the match against Espanyol.Dani Olmo is a major doubt to a shoulder issue, although Pedri could return after missing the Villarreal clash due to a calf problem.PredictionDespite Barcelona’s recent dominance in this head-to-head, Espanyol enter the match in excellent form and they can certainly cause the away side plenty of problems.Given the fact they will play a day before Madrid, this could prove to be a major incentive for Flick and his side.As such, expect Barcelona to win a ninth successive LaLiga match to begin the New Year with a bang: Espanyol 1-3 Barcelona.(Cover image from IMAGO)You can follow all the games from LaLiga on FotMob in the 2025/26 season – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.