Espanyol vs Barcelona: Predicted Lineups for Matchday 18

LaLiga returns with an exciting derby as Espanyol faces Barcelona in Matchday 18. This match marks Barcelona’s chance to secure their first victory of 2026. Currently, Barcelona leads the league standings with 46 points, achieved through 15 wins, one draw, and two losses. However, Real Madrid trails closely, just four points behind, making this match crucial for maintaining their lead.

Match Overview: Espanyol vs Barcelona

Before the winter break, Barcelona registered a convincing 2-0 victory against Villarreal, thanks to goals from Raphinha and Lamine Yamal. For this derby, Barcelona’s Pedri returns to the squad after recovering from injury. Additionally, Lamine Yamal will also be available for selection, despite missing training on Thursday due to discomfort.

Espanyol’s Current Form

Espanyol sits in fifth place in the league, accumulating 33 points from 10 wins, three draws, and four losses. They secured a 2-1 victory against Athletic Club Bilbao before the winter hiatus, with goals from Carlos Romero Serrano and Pere Milla.

Match Details

The upcoming match between Espanyol and Barcelona is scheduled as follows:

• Date: Saturday, January 3
• Time: 14:00 CDMX | 15:00 E.T. (Ecuador, Colombia, Peru) | 17:00 (Argentina, Chile, Uruguay)

Predicted Lineups

This high-stakes derby is sure to captivate fans as both teams vie for important points in LaLiga.