MADRID, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona and Espanyol face each other in what is usually an intense city derby in Camp Nou on Saturday.
Depending on Real Madrid's result away to Real Valladolid on Friday night, Barca could need to win in order to stay top of the table, while Espanyol could go into the match in the bottom three if results elsewhere go against them.
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez has to decide who replaces the suspended Robert Lewandowski in attack, with Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres vying to partner Raphinha and Ousmane Dembele.
Dembele cut short his post-World Cup holiday to return in time for the match, although Xavi could put him on the bench and play an extra man in midfield. That would see Sergio Busquets, who is currently immersed in talks about his future, Frenkie de Jong, Pedri and Gavi all start, while Hector Bellerin and Sergi Roberto will dispute the right-back berth and Jordi Alba starts on the left.
It will be Alba's 300th league appearance for Barcelona, and the defender admitted that the derby is "a special game for Barcelona and it is something that the supporters know a bit different. We will try to end the year in the best possible way."
There is a chance that Ronald Araujo could be available after the muscle injury that has sidelined him for over two months, but it is likely that Barca will start with Marcos Alonso and Eric Garcia in a defense that has only conceded five league goals this season.
Espanyol need a positive result and the game will no doubt be special for their former Barca forward Martin Braithwaite, who left Camp Nou this summer.
Braithwaite will be especially motivated, but Espanyol's main threat will be striker Joselu, who has scored seven of the club's 16 goals this season. ■
