ESL vs BAR Dream11 Prediction: Mismatch sees the league leaders faceoff against last slumped Espanyol.
NOTE: We have made changes in our Dream11 team after the lineups were announced
OUT: N Semedo, A Fati, Pol Lozano
IN: G Pique, S Busquets, D Lopez
New Captain: Leo Messi, New vice Captain: A Griezmann
For the table toppers, 2020 couldn’t have been welcomed in a more cheerful manner. With Barcelona slated to take on Espanyol today, the side have been dished out an extremely easy tie, a fixture they are not only set to cruise their way to the three points to but also emerge but a comprehensive win to their name today.
It’s not only down to their indemnity as a stalwart in the league but the nature of the Espanyol side this term. Languishing in 20 th place in the league standing, for Espanyol, relegation is staring to become an extremely real proposition with the side having mustered up a mere two wins to their name all season.
Defeated 2-0 by Leganes the last time around, the side were handed over their 12th defeat in 16 encounters, a number which is set to go further up when they meet Barcelona today. Sitting two points clear of Real Madrid at the moment at the top of the league tally with a 4-1 win over Alaves the last time around, Barcelona will be ruthless and relentless in their approach today as they hammer down that spot.
ESL vs BAR Dream11 Prediction
Probable Winner
As straightforward a match as they get with Barcelona set to thump and flay Espanyol on the day. This is a lopsided encounter, one where the league leaders are up against the bottom placed side, a tie which has only one outcome written all over it.
Team News
Sebastien Corchia, Matias Vargas and Victor Sánchez are all set to be out of action for Espanyol for the upcoming encounter with the players yet to recover from their injury concerns.
The three injury problems for Barcelona as well with Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Arthur and Ousmane Dembele all set to sit this one out.
Probable Playing XI
Espanyol
Diego López (GK), Javi López, Fernando Calero, Bernardo Espinosa, Marc Roca, Gomez, Sergi Darder, Lozano, Didac Vila, Campuzano, Calleri.
Barcelona
Neto (GK), Nelson Semedo, Gerard Piqué, Clement Lenglet, Jordi Alba, Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets, Frenkie De Jong, Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Antoine Griezmann.
Match Details
La Liga 2019-20
Match: Espanyol vs Barcelona
Date and Time: 5th January, Sunday – 1:30 AM (IST)
Venue: RCDE Stadium, Espanyol
Pivotal Players
Espanyol – Javi Lopez, Fernando Calero, Bernardo Espinosa, Calleri
Barcelona – Neto, Nelson Semedo, Clement Lenglet, Ansu Fati
Top-scorer
Espanyol – Sergi Darder: 2 Goals
Barcelona – Lionel Messi: 13 Goals
Free-kick and corner taker
Espanyol – Lozano
Barcelona – Lionel Messi
Dream11 Picks
Goal-Keepers for ESL vs BAR Dream11
With Marc Andre ter-Stegen out injured for Barcelona, Neto is set to take his place and the goal-keeper makes an immediate entry into our side for this one. He’s up against a side who have failed to sow any kind of semblance infront of goal, an encounter where he is set to emerge unscathed today.
Defenders for ESL vs BAR Dream11
Although Barcelona have been guilty of letting goals slip in this season, today’s encounter is the ideal one for them to imbed in place a cleansheet. In Espanyol, they are coming up against an opposition which has scored just 12 times in 18 outings and look unlikely to add to that total today either.
It’s not only due to their laggard attacking showings but also the fact that Barcelona will control this match and hardly see Espanyol get any of the ball which makes the visiting side such outright favourites for a cleansheet. It sees us get in both Charles Lenglet and Nelson Semedo from the outfit while our lone from the opposition comes in the form of Javi Lopez.
Mid-fielders for ESL vs BAR Dream11
With both Arthur and Dembele out injured for Barcelona today, Frenkie de Jong will be pushed further up the park for his side in a bid to provide support to the side’s attacking travails. His newly defined role is set to see him likely to come up with a goal or assist to his name to see us make him our first pick from Barcelona for this one.
Rakitic is left out by us with the midfielder hardly having contributed much this season for the side with us deciding to go in with Ansu Fait instead. He’s going to only feature as a substitute today but he’ll be playing a role for his side when this Espanyol defence is tiring which could see him being easily involved in a goal today.
Elsewhere, his side’s leading goal scorer this term with the two goals to his name, Sergi Dader will represent us from the opposition along with Pol Lozano.
Strikers for ESL vs BAR Dream11
His side’s leading goal scorer with the 12 goals this season and up against a side which has shipped in 34 goals, one eventuality which is as clear as the day’s first sunlight is the fact that Lionel Messi will be scoring for Barcelona today. He will be partnered up with Antoine Griezmann who has scored 7 times for his side.
We have left out Suarez for the day despite the striker finding 10 goals this season owing to his languid form in matches away from home and with a need to work around the price constraints as well. Espanyol meanwhile will be represented by Jonathan Calleri to complete our set of picks for the outing with the player putting on a good display for his side in their foregone affairs.
Captain And Vice-Captain
We are making Semedo our captain for the day with Messi being our vice-captain.
Dream11 Disclaimer
All our selections are based on in-depth and astute analysis of the players partaking in the match, pitch report and a perusal of other reasoning. Please incorporate a slew of factors while crafting your own side with this article serving as a guide to the match and players.
