Just when we thought the dust was settling after last weekend’s El Cl\u00e1sico and this week’s Balon d\u2019Or discourse, we return to La Liga with a historic derby. Read on to find out our La Liga matchday 12 predictions for FC Barcelona v RCD Espanyol.<\/p>\n
Another week, another huge rival for FC Barcelona. After last weekend’s successful visit to Madrid, they’ve got their city rivals RCD Espanyol coming to visit this time out. On current form, there can only be one winner but Los Periquitos have a history of causing Bar\u00e7a trouble.<\/p>\n
This is the first Derbi Barcelon\u00ed since Barcelona clinched the 2022\/23 La Liga<\/a> title in Espanyol\u2019s stadium so the visitors will want to use that as motivation for revenge. Hansi Flick\u2019s team look even better than the one that won the league that year and will want to take another three points towards their title run this campaign.<\/p>\n LWOF Prediction:<\/strong> FC Barcelona 2-0 RCD Espanyol<\/p>\n Read More: <\/strong>Two Wins In Eight Matches \u2013 What Is Going On At Atl\u00e9tico Madrid<\/a><\/p>\n The region of Valencia has this week been hit by some of the worst floods that Western Europe has ever seen. Therefore, the match due to take place at Mestalla between Valencia CF and Real Madrid has been postponed until further notice.<\/p>\n Atl\u00e9tico Madrid appear to have a great chance to get back on track in La Liga as they play UD Las Palmas at home. However, under new boss Diego Martinez, the Canary Islanders have won their last two league games and will be looking to cause an upset at the Estadio Metropolitano. It may not be comfortable or easy on the eye, but Atleti should have enough to get the job done on Sunday lunchtime.<\/p>\n LWOF Prediction:<\/strong> Atl\u00e9tico Madrid 1-0 UD Las Palmas<\/p>\n There are four teams on 18 points between the positions of fifth and eighth. Luckily for us, two of them face each other this weekend as Athletic Club host Real Betis. In what is always at least a visual spectacle for the eyes watching red and white face green and white stripes, both teams will be going at it trying to finish the weekend above the other. You\u2019d be brave to boldly back either team, so a draw might just be the safest bet here.<\/p>\n LWOF Prediction:<\/strong> Athletic Club 1-1 Real Betis<\/p>\n Read More: <\/strong>New Sports City To Bring La Liga Club Revenue \u201cOn Par With FC Barcelona\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n Deportivo Alav\u00e9s have the fifth-worst home record in the league whilst RCD Mallorca have the fifth-best away form which draws an obvious conclusion for Friday’s meeting between the two. Alav\u00e9s are risking getting themselves involved in a relegation scrap whereas Mallorca have one eye on Europe after their great start to the season. The Balearics will use this mentality shift to get one over their normally lower-half rivals this weekend.<\/p>\n LWOF Prediction:<\/strong> Deportivo Alav\u00e9s 0-1 RCD Mallorca<\/p>\n CA Osasuna will also want to break the twenty-point mark this weekend as they host relegation favourites Real Valladolid in Pamplona. Los Rojillos have scored the same amount of goals as Atl\u00e9tico Madrid this season and have striker Ante Budimir in good form<\/a> once again. Valladolid don’t appear to have too much in their favour to be able to produce an upset.<\/p>\n LWOF Prediction:<\/strong> CA Osasuna 3-0 Real Valladolid<\/p>\n Two of this season\u2019s sleeping giants go head to head on Sunday afternoon when Sevilla FC and Real Sociedad play each other. Sevilla are on something of a resurgence under manager Francisco Garc\u00eda Pimienta, who at the very least will want to avoid a relegation battle as they have been in the last couple of campaigns. They can use the momentum built in recent weeks to get another home result in La Liga.<\/p>\n LWOF Prediction:<\/strong> Sevilla FC 1-0 Real Sociedad<\/p>\n Read More: <\/strong>Spanish National Team Make History With Lineup Not Seen For 96 Years<\/a><\/p>\nCurrently sat in third, Villarreal CF are enjoying good form and have a great opportunity to keep it up this weekend. Rayo Vallecano are the team off to the East Coast to try and stop the Yellow Submarine from making it seven wins in twelve La Liga matches. Whilst having impressed themselves at times this term, the team from Vallecas are likely to fall short in this one.<\/del>\u00a0Update: This match has now been postponed\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nLWOF Prediction:<\/strong> Villarreal CF 3-1 Rayo Vallecano.<\/del><\/p>\nEuropean Race Heats Up<\/h3>\n
Lower Half Opposition Face Off<\/h3>\n