Espanyol vs Barcelona Prediction, preview, team news and lineups 15.05.2025

• Date and Time: Thursday, May 15, 2025, 21:30 GMT+1
• Venue: RCDE Stadium, Cornellà, Spain

Espanyol vs Barcelona Preview and Team News

Espanyol Team News

Espanyol lost 3-2 to Leganés in an epic clash last weekend, which means the team will have to wait a bit longer to secure a non-relegation. They’re 14th with 39 points, only registering one victory out of their previous five games. 

Coach Manolo González insisted before the match that he only “thinks about avoiding relegation”, knowing that five points stand between his squad and elimination.

👀 #EspanyolBarça pic.twitter.com/bhiTkWNhJa

— RCD Espanyol de Barcelona (@RCDEspanyol) May 12, 2025

Espanyol will face Barcelona, Osasuna, and Las Palmas in their remaining La Liga fixtures. Avoiding any defeat can make the difference between competing and relegation to the Segunda.

Brian Olivan and Pol Lozano will be sidelined due to their injuries.

Espanyol Predicted Line-up vs Barcelona

Espanyol Predicted line-up vs Barcelona (4-4-2): Joan García; Romero, Cabrera, Kumbulla, Carreras; Puado, Urko González, Calero, Exposito; Král, Fernández.

Barcelona Team News

Barcelona could secure their first La Liga trophy under the guidance of Hansi Flick if they defeat Espanyol on Thursday. 

This already happened in the season 2022-23. At the time, Barça’s celebrations were met with an aggressive opposition mob. The police eventually intervened in order to prevent serious injuries.

Barcelona just defeated Real Madrid in Ancelotti’s last Clásico, having beaten them in all their encounters this season. The Catalans won 4-3, thanks to goals from Raphinha, Eric García, and Lamine Yamal. The match was filled with controversy, especially after the cancelled Fermín goal, who had celebrated with the crowd.

The future is happening now. pic.twitter.com/UeXlJ71Bgc

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 12, 2025

Joan Laporta later said that the club would not let this slide. This is not the first time that a Clásico has been full of questionable VAR calls for both sides. 

Doubts emerged concerning the continuity of goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny. He came out of retirement to join the club earlier this season. It was, however, said that he had a hard time after conceding three goals on Sunday and isn’t expected to renew.

Pablo Torre, Marc Bernal, Jules Koundé, and Dani Rodriguez are out, while Iñigo Martínez is suspended for the game.

Barcelona Predicted line-up vs Espanyol

Barcelona Predicted line-up vs Espanyol (4-2-3-1): Szczęsny; Balde, Cubarsí, Araújo, García; Pedri, de Jong; Raphinha, López, Yamal; Lewandowski.

Espanyol vs Barcelona Prediction

• Prediction: Barcelona to win
• Odds: 1.29 (22Bet)
• Score Prediction: Espanyol 0-2 Barcelona

Espanyol vs Barcelona is known as the city derby, despite the level difference between both clubs. They often lead to tense clashes and fights between ultras, regularly forcing police to intervene to prevent a major brawl. 

The ugly scenes from the 2022-23 season, when Barça celebrated on Espanyol’s ground, forced the visiting players to hide in the dressing room.

Setmana de derbi. pic.twitter.com/c0wHweiBXV

— RCD Espanyol de Barcelona (@RCDEspanyol) May 12, 2025

Barcelona demonstrated they are winners despite the harsh defeat in Milan a week ago. They defeated Real Madrid 4-3 after conceding a 2-0 deficit in the opening twenty minutes. 

With Barça’s superior individual quality and few matches left, it’s almost certain the league will be theirs.

Espanyol vs Barcelona Betting Tip

• Pick: Lamine Yamal to score
• Odds: 2.5 (22Bet)

Although Espanyol will probably keep a compact block, this is another match that will more than likely end in a Lamine Yamal goal. The 17-year-old was a key scorer during the Clásico, playing around with Fran García. 

Few teams have found the answer to Yamal, and Espanyol’s current form only gives Barcelona a further edge.

Disclaimer: The content provided on this page, including all football predictions, odds, and related information, is for entertainment and informational purposes only. While we strive to ensure accuracy and timeliness, we do not guarantee the correctness or reliability of any predictions, data, or information presented here. 

Make sure to bet on Espanyol vs Barcelona with our 22Bet Sportsbook!