Matchday 16 - Featured Preview: Espanyol vs Barcelona

Espanyol are exceeding all expectations this season and they still run with a 100% record at the Cornella El Prat heading into the biggest game of their season against city rivals FC Barcelona. Pep Guardiola's team may have more important rivals to worry about than their smaller neighbours but they are still always very serious about the Catalan derby and it holds an extra charm this year given the form of Los Pericos at their new stadium. Barca won't worry too much about their opponent's game, however. They head to El Prat confident in the knowledge that at their best they are the strongest team in the world and they have been at their best lately.

ESPANYOL

Player to Watch: Javi Marquez

Espanyol were beaten at San Mames last weekend despite taking the lead against Athletic Bilbao. Defeat for Villarreal and a draw for Valencia means that Mauricio Pochettino's side still sit in 4th place and possess a three point cushion over Unai Emery's team below them. Despite their defeat in the Basque country on matchday fifteen, Espanyol arrive at this weekend's Catalan derby with Barcelona in a good mood and there is a feeling that, despite league leaders' Barcelona's imperious form, Los Pericos could upset Pep Guardiola's team at the Cornella El Prat stadium, where they boast a 100% record in the league in 2010-11. It is bound to be a competitive, highly charged derby. Espanyol are DWWWL in their last five matches.

Raul Baena and Javi Marquez return from suspension this weekend. Baena could start from the bench with Marquez linking up with Aldo Duscher in holding midfield behind Joan Verdu, Jose Callejon and Luis Garcia in support of lone striker Pablo Osvaldo. Jesus Datolo will drop to the bench after deputizing for Marquez last week against Athletic Bilbao. Ferran Coro, Javi Lopez, Raul Rodriguez, Ernesto Galan, Felipe Mattioni and Ivan de la Pena make up the injury list and Ivan Alonso has been dropped for the biggest game of the season so far, giving yet another indication that he is not in the manager’s immediate plans. The back four is nearly at full strength so Pochettino will have some tough decisions about whom to start in front Carlos Kameni. Juan Forlin, Didac Vila, Javier Chica, David Garcia, Jordi Amat and Victor Ruiz are all in contention.

Possible starting XI: (4-2-3-1) Carlos Kameni; Didac Vila, Victor Ruiz, Javier Chica, Juan Forlin; Javi Marquez, Aldo Duscher; Luis Garcia, Joan Verdu, Jose Callejon; Pablo Osvaldo;

BARCELONA

Player to Watch: Pedro

Barcelona wrought havoc on Real Sociedad at the Camp Nou last weekend and ended up beating the Basques 5-0. It was the Cules 9th consecutive league win and they haven't conceded a goal in six matches despite amassing a total of 26 goals in the same period. They are in record-breaking form but they will be very wary of their next opponent, city rivals Espanyol, whom they visit at the Cornella El Prat stadium where Mauricio Pochettino's men have a 100% record this season. Espanyol have surprised a lot of people by laying down an early challenge for a Champions League spot and they currently reside in 4th so this is one of the most eagerly anticipated Catalan derbies in many years. If Barca play near to their mesmerizing full potential, they will beat Los Pericos on Saturday. If for some reason they do not, this encounter, which is likely to be physical and intense, could be extremely intriguing.

Gabi Milito is working hard on his fitness to earn the all-clear from the club doctors but he will not be fit before the New Year. Jeffren Suarez was the other injury concern after tweaking his groin against Rubin Kazan in the final Champions League group game but he is training again and is hoping to pass a late fitness test to warrant his inclusion on Saturday. He will not start, of course, as Guardiola is set to wheel out his “gala” eleven at Cornella. Victor Valdes’ goal will be protected by Carles Puyol, Dani Alves, Eric Abidal and the returning Gerard Pique, who will replace Maxwell after being rested as a precaution last weekend to avoid accumulating five yellow cards, which would have ruled him out here. Javier Mascherano will have to give way in midfield, I expect, as Sergi Busquets, Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta line up in midfield. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi, Pedro Rodriguez and David Villa will take to the field up front to form the most intimidating attacking triumvirate in world football. Villa and Messi often hog the headlines for obvious reasons but Pedro is back to top form and could be the man to unlock the Espanyol defence while they are distracted with the other two forwards.

Possible starting XI: (4-3-3) Victor Valdes; Eric Abidal, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Dani Alves; Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Sergi Busquets; Lionel Messi, David Villa, Pedro;