One of the most historic derbies in LALIGA EA SPORTS is coming up this weekend, with certain players keen to prove a point.
LALIGA EA SPORTS Matchday 31 is set to feature one of the fiercest derbies in the country, as FC Barcelona are scheduled to host ELDERBI DE BARCELONA against RCD Espanyol at the Spotify Camp Nou on Saturday. Having won the first league duel between the two teams earlier this year, Los Azulgranas will look to double their victories against Los Pericos this season. Here’s a look at five reasons this is an encounter no football fan should miss. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.
A historic matchup
Only a few derbies can match the historic stature of this fixture. Disputed by two of the founders of LALIGA EA SPORTS, the first ELDERBI DE BARCELONA took place back in 1900, with FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol facing each other in a friendly match that ended in a goalless draw. There have been as many as 179 league duels between the two teams, with FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyolhaving recorded 105 and 34 victories, respectively, while 40 games ended in a draw. No club has participated in more top-flight seasons than FC Barcelona (95), while only four teams have more appearances than their cross-city rivals (89). Unsurprisingly, no player has netted more derby goals than Lionel Messi (25) across all competitions, with Rafael Marañón being RCD Espanyol’s top scorer (nine) in derbies.
Barça are dominant at home in the league
FC Barcelona are the only team in Europe’s top-five leagues who haven’t dropped a single point on home soil so far this term. In fact, Barça have won each of the 15 league fixtures they’ve played across three different home grounds. Awaiting the conclusion of the works at Spotify Camp Nou, Hansi Flick’s side thrashed Valencia CF in their first home game of 2025/26 – a match that took place at the Estadi Johan Cruyff. A move back to the Estadi Olímpic didn’t affect FC Barcelona’s form, with Los Azulgranas winning all their games at Montjuïc before a much-awaited return to the Spotify Camp Nou, where they have won all their last 14 matches across all competitions, including 10 straight league victories. Having built a stronghold at their home ground, FC Barcelona will look to extend their winnings streak with a victory in the upcoming derby.
Marko Dmitrović vs Barça’s attack
Last Saturday, RCD Espanyol grabbed an impressive 0-0 draw away at Real Betis. The MVP award was handed to Marko Dmitrović, who made some great saves, forcing coach Manolo González to praise his goalkeeper. “We always give credit to the forwards,” González told the post-game press conference. “I think goalkeepers don’t get enough recognition, and Marko has saved us more points than he’s cost us. It wasn’t an easy job, and we have to give him credit for that.” Dmitrović – who recently won the March Save of the Month prize – will look to pull off a similar display against FC Barcelona, but this time the task ahead is even more demanding for him, as he is set to face the best attack in the league. Barça have already netted as many as 80 goals, 47 of which have come on home soil, where no opposition keeper has registered a clean sheet. It now remains to be seen, if Dmitrović will manage to build on his momentum in his team’s bid to upset the hosts.
Rashford’s moment to shine
Raphinha’s absence due to injury has provided Marcus Rashford with a first-class opportunity to earn a permanent move to FC Barcelona, with his current loan deal ending this summer. The England international seized the moment on Saturday’s clash away at Atlético de Madrid by levelling the scores before Robert Lewandowski sealed a 2-1 comeback victory. Having bagged 11 goals and 13 assists across all competitions, Rashford can be instrumental in FC Barcelona’s push for titles. Consistency is the key for the 28-year-old, who would definitely etch his name into the hearts of the fans with a goal in the derby.
A point to prove for Joan García
Joan García’s move to FC Barcelona did not go down well with RCD Espanyol fans, who made sure to create hostile environment for him on his return to the RCDE Stadium as a Barça player in early January. Unfazed by the setting, García produced a man-of-the-match outing that included some extraordinary saves to keep a clean sheet in a 2-0 road victory. “Never complain about getting booed afterward, and don’t go around demanding respect or expecting people to respect you,” his former teammate Sergi Darder told Radio Marca Baleares ahead of Saturday’s clash. “I even consider Joan a friend. I got along with him incredibly well then and still do, but he knew that when he left RCD Espanyol for Barça, he had to face the consequences.” After making his international debut with Spain during the break, the 24-year-old goalkeeper is set to face Los Pericos for the second time this season. And what better way to respond than by trying to secure a second straight clean sheet against his former team.
