25 JANUARY 2018: FROM THE DESK OF LA LIGA STEEMIT
Barcelona vs Espanyol will be last match for the final spot in Semi-Final of Copa Del Rey,
Competition/Round: Copa del Rey semi-final, 2nd leg
First leg result: Espanyol 1-0 Barcelona
Barcelona injuries: Ousmane Dembélé, Thomas Vermaelen
Espanyol injuries: Jairo Morilla, José Jurado, Adrián López
Date/Time: Thursday, January 25, 2018, 20:30 GMT
We have watched Shocking Existence of Real Madrid & Atletico Madrid from Copa Del Rey in Lat Two Days,
It’s decision time! Barcelona play the second leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final against Espanyol needing to overcome a 1-0 deficit after the crosstown rivals got a shocking win at home last week. The Blaugrana cannot afford to concede a goal, and even a 2-1 win will mean elimination.
Barça will need to be very good defensively and very efficient with the ball. Thankfully this is exactly what Barça have been under Ernesto Valverde, and Philippe Coutinho could make his debut against his former club. Despite the deficit, Barça remain favorites to reach the Spanish Cup semi-final and definitely have the firepower to get the job done.
The only side to have won a game at the Camp Nou in the last 18 months in any competition are Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup back in August.
As such, Espanyol are priced at 28/1 (29.00) to record their first win away to their rivals in nearly a decade, while Barca are offered at 1/12 (1.08) and the draw - which would see the visitors progress - can be backed at 17/2 (9.50).
Catalan derbies at the Camp Nou have been extremely one-sided affairs in recent years and it is difficult to see Thursday night's game resulting in anything other than a high-scoring home win.
In the previous round at Celta Vigo, the Blaugrana were held to a 1-1 draw away from home in the first leg before administering a 5-0 thrashing at home and something similar could be on the cards against Espanyol.
Prior to last week’s victory, Espanyol have last defeated Barcelona back in 2009 which best describes Blaugrana’s domination in head to head matches.
Barcelona have won three on the trot by three or more goals before the mentioned cup defeat from seven days ago.
Samuel Umtiti is in line for his first start since the beginning of December, while Luis Suarez who was rested in the first leg could return to what should be a close to full strength starting eleven.
Philippe Coutinho and Yerry Mina included in squad to face Espanyol,
Image Source: FCBarcelona.com
Philippe Coutinho may finally make his Barca debut after training this week following his recovery from a thigh injury, and Andres Iniesta may return.
For Espanyol, Manuel Jurado and Pablo Piatti remain doubts and have been training apart from the group this week.
Expected Line Ups for Barcelona (4-4-2): Cillessen; Roberto, Piqué, Umtiti, Alba; Paulinho, Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Messi, Suárez
& Espanyol (4-1-4-1): Di.López; Navarro, Duarte, Naldo, Aarón; Da.López; Darder, Fuego, Sánchez, Granero; Gerard
Best Luck for both teams
This is it from me & will Upload some Amazing highlights for 2nd Leg Goals for All Four Matches by Tomorrow, Stay touched & Follow for more News, Goals & Highlights