La Liga 2025/26: Espanyol vs Barcelona Preview, Prediction, TV channels, Live Score & Lineups
League leaders Barcelona (1st) travel to the Stage Front Stadium for a heated Catalan derby against Espanyol (15th). The high-stakes rivalry and Barca's quest for the title guarantee a blockbuster atmosphere.
Kick Off Time?
Competition (round): La Liga (Matchday 19)
Kick-off (GMT): 20:00, Saturday, 3 January 2026
Stadium, location: Stage Front Stadium (RCDE Stadium), Cornellà de Llobregat, Spain
Match Facts
Barcelona enters the new year at the top of the table, holding a four-point lead over Real Madrid. Hansi Flick's side is currently the highest-scoring team in Europe’s top five leagues.
Espanyol sits in 15th place, just three points above the relegation zone. A result in the derby would be a massive psychological boost for their survival hopes.
The young superstar is in peak form, leading La Liga in assists. Espanyol's defense, which has conceded in eight consecutive games, faces a daunting task.
Historically, this fixture is known for its physicality. There has been at least one red card in three of the last five league meetings between these two sides.
Barcelona is without Gavi (recovery) and Frenkie de Jong (minor knock). Espanyol will rely heavily on Javi Puado to lead their counter-attacks.
Prediction of AI
Based on the vast disparity in form and squad depth, the AI predicts a 3-1 victory for Barcelona.
While Espanyol will undoubtedly fight with the intensity that the derby demands, Barcelona's verticality and clinical finishing under Hansi Flick are expected to overwhelm the hosts. However, the AI notes that Espanyol almost always finds the net at home in the derby, making "Both Teams to Score" a high-probability outcome.
How to Watch Espanyol vs Barcelona in Spain, the UK, and the US?
In Spain: The match will be broadcast live on Movistar+ LaLiga TV and DAZN LaLiga.
In the UK: Viewers can watch the game on Viaplay Sports 1 and LaLigaTV. Streaming is available via the Viaplay app.
In the US: The game will be televised on ESPN Deportes (Spanish) and streamed live on ESPN+ (English/Spanish).
TV Channel and Live Stream: You can also follow Xscore808 live updates for other countries
