Barcelona is on the cusp of celebrating their return to being La Liga champions. Hansi Flick`s side can secure the league title on Thursday if they avoid defeat against local rivals Espanyol. This potential title would add to the Spanish Super Cup and Copa del Rey trophies they have already lifted this season.
While Espanyol has managed to avoid relegation after returning to La Liga, they are expected to face a significant challenge from Barcelona`s dynamic attack, which has been a threat to opponents throughout the season.
Adding to the motivation, Robert Lewandowski is currently competing for the La Liga Golden Boot award. This provides extra incentive for Barcelona to score goals during the match.
Barcelona`s Title Scenario
To clinch the La Liga title on Thursday, Barcelona needs to achieve either a victory or a draw when facing Espanyol.
Analysis of the Last Meeting
In their most recent encounter, Barcelona emerged victorious with a 3-1 scoreline. Barcelona established an early lead, scoring just 12 minutes in, and held a 3-1 advantage by halftime. Although Espanyol managed to score one goal, it was not enough to overturn Barcelona`s lead.
Predicted Lineups
Espanyol: Joan Garcia, Omar El Hilali, Marash Kumbulla, Leandro Cabrera, Carlos Romero, Edu Exposito, Urko Gonzalez, Jofre Carreras, Alex Kral, Javier Puado, Roberto Fernandez
Barcelona: Wokciech Szczesny, Gerard Martin, Pau Cubarsi, Ronald Araujo, Eric Garcia, Pedri, Frenkie De Jong, Raphinha, Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres
Player to Watch
The article highlights Lamine Yamal from Barcelona as a key player to observe. Remarkable for his age, Yamal is just 17 but has already accumulated over 100 appearances for the club, establishing himself as a crucial winger for both Barcelona and the Spanish national team. He is often compared to football legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi based on his early career trajectory. Yamal is known for his impressive vision and ability to influence the game from anywhere on the field, making him constantly captivating to watch.
Match Prediction
The prediction anticipates Barcelona scoring multiple goals, potentially starting early in the match. With players like Raphinha and Lewandowski driven by aspirations for individual honors (Ballon d`Or and Golden Boot, respectively), Barcelona is expected to maintain their attacking intensity even after securing a winning position. The predicted score is Espanyol 1, Barcelona 5.
