Nou Eexperience For Espanyol

A near full strength Espanyol travel to the Nou Camp on Tuesday to take on a tired looking Barcelona, who were held to a draw against Numancia at the weekend. The La Liga leaders have won this fixture the past 17 times, and have in fact not tasted defeat for 23 years against their local rivals. Not surprisingly the hosts are favourites. 

Despite the long history of failing against the Catalan giants, this doesn’t mean Espanyol should be totally discounted, especially when their season to date is considered. Currently sixth, a point would be sufficient to take the club into third place and more importantly a decent position to claim a Champions League spot. 

Much of the credit is down to new coach Miguel Angel Lotina, who has transformed the club from struggling into genuine European qualification contenders. While Espanyol won at home last Saturday, Barcelona were unable to beat the basement club. Admittedly conditions were far from ideal, but the team did look tired. 

Barca are likely to be without Brazilian fullback Juliano Belletti and winger Ludovic Giuly, who sustained back injuries in the draw at Numancia, while Espanyol may be missing the influential Ivan de la Pena, who was booked as a substitute at the weekend for questioning one of the referee's decisions in the tunnel at halftime. 

While the league leaders have been formidable at home this season, their local rivals have proven themselves capable away, with only the top two claiming more victories on their travels.  As tempting as the 8/1 on an away victory does appeal, the better bet is the widely available 10/3 on the match finishing allsquare. 

Turning our attention to the spreads, and it would be wrong not to consider the bookings market. It was in the game at Espanyol last year when a total of six players were sent off and numerous others booked. However, glancing at other games and there haven’t been too many other occasions when the referee has lost his cool.