Predicted line-up of Barcelona against RCD Espanyol: La Liga

Hansi Flick's red-hot Barcelona prepare to host RCD Espanyol in the first Catalan derby of the season.

Barcelona can move nine points clear at the top of La Liga after their comfortable win against Real Madrid in last weekend's El Clásico. Los Blancos will not play this weekend due to the severe flooding that tragically affected various areas across Spain last week.

After fantastic performances against two top European teams, the Blaugranas have the chance to hand their Catalan rivals an eighth defeat in La Liga, which could see Los Periquitos drop into the relegation zone. Barcelona are unbeaten in their last 26 league games against Espanyol, setting an ominous precedent for Los Periquitos, who are currently 20 points behind the league leaders.

Given that this appears to be a much easier game on paper compared to last week's opponents, Flick might be tempted to change his starting XI and give players who have recently returned from injury the chance to play Start performing.

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TW: Iñaki Pena—Peña was great at keeping a clean sheet in El Clásico and looked like a goalkeeper worthy of Barcelona's starting role with one of the best performances of his young career.

LB: Alejandro Baldé—Baldé continued his strong start to the season with a precise assist in El Clásico. His speed and technique make him a very dangerous forward player.

CB: Pau Cubarsí—Cubarsi plays with a maturity that is unusual for a 17-year-old.

CB: Inigo Martinez—The leader of Barça's defense is the perfect man to lead Flick's high-line system, which saw Real Madrid players caught offside more than 10 times in El Clásico.

RB: Jules Koundé—The Frenchman neutralized Vinícius Júnior and Serge Gnabry in consecutive games.

CM: Frenkie de Jong –The Dutchman had a good performance in El Clásico and was able to start for Barcelona for the first time since his visit to the Santiago Bernabéu in April.

CM: Gavi—It may be too early, but Gavi's intensity and fearlessness are perfect for a derby like this. The former Kopa Trophy winner has featured as a substitute in Barça's last three games.

LW: Raphinha—The Brazilian has scored ten goals in Barça's last five games. He is in the form of his life and was one of the main reasons for Flick's early success.

AM: Dani Olmo—Olmo's impressive start to his Barcelona career was cut short by an injury that sidelined him for over a month. After some positive performances, the Euro 2024 winner could return to the starting line-up in the Catalan derby.

RW: Lamine Yamal—In a week that saw him become the youngest goalscorer in El Clásico history and the youngest ever Kopa Trophy winner, Yamal put the icing on the cake with his first Catalan derby goal.

ST: Robert Lewandowski—The Polish striker has scored ten goals in the last five Barça games.

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