They are perhaps not quite yet what they have been in the past, but the latest match - 4-2 win over Atletico Madrid, was clearly their best performance of the season so far. Partly because of new signings, but also partly because the work of Xavi is starting to show and the mood in the camp is a lot better than before.

The last Barcelona loss dates back 8 rounds when they lost 0-1 to Betis at home, a match where they were clearly the dominant side. The scoring has been their main problem since then as they have scored at least 2 goals in only 3 of the games, and as their defense and keeper have not been as solid as needed recently 2 goals is what they need to win a game these days unless they face the bottom sides. Best of their winter signings has been the veteran Dani Alves who has inspired both on and off the pitch and he is an important figure for them mentally as he a is leader. Unfortunately he is suspended today but the replacement is Sergino Dest, who also has the qualities of being one of the best in the world in his position, and now he has the mentor he needs.

Or perhaps their best signing is Adama Traore who is unstoppable, or Ferran Torres who is everywhere in the attacking zone, and few teams can have players like Aubaymeang to put in from the bench to haunt the already tired defenders?

There are defensive problems still, but player by player the current Barcelona starting eleven would be a serious challenger for the Champions league!

Espanyol have lost form, but their good start of the season puts them 8 points clear of relegation zone, and their results are a good reflection of their performances. They are a lower midtable team, today they get their top striker De Tomas back but miss defender Oscar Gil due suspension.

I mentioned bad form, and indeed the 4 games on this year has seen them to draw once and lose three times, they have conceded 10 goals in them, and most worryingly 3 of the opponents were easily beatable as they have met Elche, Cadiz and rotated Bilbao side. Losing to Betis is no wonder, but yet the scoreline of 1-4 raises questions of their defensive abilities.

A derby yes, but the class and form and mood are clearly on Barca's side, as well as motivation as Espanyol are not in dire need of points but Barca fight for top-4 finish and CL spot.

Espanyol might score once, De Tomas is a big threat, but Barcelona should be able to score +3.

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巴萨可能还不是过去的样子，但最近的一场比赛——4-2战胜马德里竞技，显然是他们本赛季迄今为止最好的表现。一方面是因为新的引援，另一方面是因为哈维的工作开始显现，训练营里的气氛比以前好多了。

巴塞罗那上一次输球要追溯到8轮疫情，当时他们在主场0-1输给了贝蒂斯，这场比赛他们显然是占据优势的一方。从那以后，得分一直是他们的主要问题，因为他们仅在 3 场比赛中打进了 2 个进球以上，而且由于他们的防守和门将最近没有像需要的那样稳固，现在他们需要 2 个进球才能赢得一场比赛。他们最好的签约是老将丹尼·阿尔维斯，他在场上和场下都给了他们灵感，在精神上对球队来说是一个重要的人物，因为他是领袖。不幸的是，他今天被停赛，但替补的是塞尔吉诺·德斯特，他也有能力在他的位置上成为世界上最好的人之一，现在他有了他需要的导师。

或许他们最好的签约是势不可挡的阿达马·特劳雷，或者是进攻区无处不在的费兰·托雷斯，很少有球队可以让像奥拜梅昂这样的球员从替补席上来困扰已经疲惫的防守者？

防守问题仍然存在，但目前的巴塞罗那首发十一人将成为冠军联赛的严重挑战者！

西班牙人虽然状态不佳，但本赛季开局不错，距离降级区还有8分之差，他们的成绩很好地反映了他们的表现。他们是一支中等偏下的球队，今天他们的头号前锋德托马斯回归，但由于停赛而错过了后卫奥斯卡吉尔。

我提到了糟糕的状态，事实上今年的4场比赛他们是1平3负，他们已经丢了10个球，最令人担忧的是3个对手很容易被击败，因为他们遇到了埃尔切，加的斯和毕尔巴鄂旋转。输给贝蒂斯也不足为奇，但 1-4 的比分让人质疑他们的防守能力。

这是一场德比战，但状态显然都在巴萨这一边，西班牙人并不急需积分，但巴萨争取前四名和欧冠的位置动力很足。

西班牙人可能会进球，德托马斯是一个很大的威胁，但巴塞罗那应该可以拿到3分。

比分参考1-3