Is Barcelona vs Espanyol on TV tonight? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Xavi’s first game as manager

All you need to know ahead of the weekend derby meeting

Karl Matchett
Saturday 20 November 2021 19:35 GMT
Comments
(AFP via Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.

The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.

Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.

Barcelona take to the pitch on Saturday evening for the first time under new boss Xavi Hernandez.

He was appointed at the start of the international break to replace the sacked Ronald Koeman, with Barcelona taking just one win in the last six in La Liga, leaving them ninth in the table.

They face Espanyol in the derby at the Camp Nou this weekend, with the visitors two places further back and level on points with Xavi’s new side.

All eyes will be on whether the former midfielder can hit the ground running now he is in the dugout, with this his first senior job in Europe having been in Qatar for his only managerial experience beforehand.

Here’s all you need to know ahead of the match.

When is the game?

Barcelona face Espanyol at 8pm GMT on Saturday 20 November.

Where can I watch it?

The match will be shown live on LaLiga TV and Premier Sports 2. Subscribers can stream the game via the Premier Player app or desktop website.

What is the team news?

Barcelona are still without Ousmane Dembele, Ansu Fati and Nico, while new signing Dani Alves cannot play until January and Sergio Aguero is out for the foreseeable future as he bids to resolve a cardiac issue. Serginio Dest is a doubt too.

Espanyol are missing Keidi Bare and Oscar Gil is a potential absentee.

Predicted line-ups

FCB - Ter Stegen, Sergi Roberto, Araujo, Garcia, Alba, Busquets, Pedri, F de Jong, Coutinho, Gavi, Memphis

ESP - Lopez, Vidal, Gomez, Cabrera, Pedrosa, Morlanes, Darder, Melamed, Melendo, Embarba, de Tomas

Odds

Barcelona 3/7

Draw 4/1

Espanyol 15/2

Prediction

Could hardly be anything other than a fairytale return in the derby, could it? Lots to sort out but Barcelona must start in positive fashion under Xavi. Barcelona 2-1 Espanyol.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in