Barcelona v Espanyol - Battle for La Liga Dominance


Image source: Getty Images

 

2025-26 Spanish La Liga

Matchday 31

Barcelona v Espanyol


Camp Nou

Barcelona, Spain

Saturday, 11 April 2026

Kick-off is at 18h30

 

The most-played local derby in the history of La Liga sees table-topping Barcelona host Espanyol at the Camp Nou on Saturday, April 11.

 

The Blaugrana are well placed to defend their crown after beating Atletico Madrid 2-1 on April 4 to go seven points clear of Real Madrid.

 

Hansi Flick's side saw Los Blancos suffer a shock 2-1 defeat to Real Mallorca earlier in the day and they then recorded their sixth win on the spin at the Metropolitano.

 

Barca have absolutely dominated this derby fixture down the years, going unbeaten in their last 29 meetings since the Parakeets ran out 2-1 victors on 21 February 2009.


Image source: Alamy Stock Photo

 

Espanyol are still searching for their first win in 2026 after a 0-0 draw with Real Betis on April 4 continued their poor run of results in the second half of the season.

 

Manolo Gonzalez's side have only picked up five points out of a possible 39 this year to dent their hopes of qualifying for Europe for the first time in six years.

 

The Parakeets are in a three-way tie with Osasuna (9th) and Athletic Bilbao (11th) on 38 points and find themselves six adrift of the UEFA Conference League berth.


Image source: Alamy Stock Photo

 

Flick admitted that Atletico made it tough for his team despite going down to 10 men just before half-time as Robert Lewandowski eventually popped up with the winner in the 87th minute.

 

"It was a very important victory. They defended very well with 10, but we played very well with the ball," he said.

 

"We controlled the game, and I liked it. We tried everything to score the second goal. The most important thing is the victory and the three points.

 

"We could have done things better. We need this hunger to want to win games."

 

Head-to-Head (Last Five La Liga Meetings)

Matches - 5

Barcelona wins - 4

Espanyol wins - 1

Draws - 0

 

La Liga Matchday 31 fixtures

 

Friday, April 10
21h00: Real Madrid v Girona

Saturday, April 11
14h00: Real Sociedad v Alaves
16h15: Elche v Valencia
18h30: Barcelona v Espanyol
21h00: Sevilla v Atletico Madrid

 

Sunday, April 12
14h00: Osasuna v Real Betis 
16h15: Real Mallorca v Rayo Vallecano
18h30: Celta Vigo v Osasuna
21h00: Athletic Bilbao v Villarreal

Monday, April 13
21h00: Levante v Getafe


 

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Published: 04/08/2026