Spain, Copa del Rey - 21.01.2009

[Ledi17]

Espanyol - Barcelona

Barcelona will be against Espanyol in this local derby with so much pressure on Espanyol that in this season haven't done anything. It's the first leg for Copa del Rey quarter-finals and both teams can't make any mistakes in this match but ofcourse that the team that should be clearly favourite in Estadi Olimpic is Barcelona. Barcelona have done everything perfect in all sections in this season after have won the group in Champions League and in Primera Division is in 1st position and have 12 points difference with 2nd position Real Madrid, so the only cup that they should be focus in this moment is Copa del Rey. Their coach Pep Guardiola will have to improve without Gaby MIlito and this isn't any important miss for them after they have other talented players that have done a great start in this season.

In the other side Espanyol have come in this match with so much problems after haven't done anything in this 1st half of the season after they are currently in 18th position with 15 points from 19 matches that have played. The team is under the pressure in this match after in Primera Division is actually in relegation zone and should think more there after 17th position Numancia, that means safe from relegation have 5 points difference with them and in this situation is even more difficulty for them to think for both competition in the same moment. The only good news for the home side is that the coach will have all players available in this derby but is expekted to rest some of them.
Probable starting: Kameni, Sergio Sanchez, Jarque, Pareja, Beranger, Moises Hurtado, Lola Smiljanic, Roman Martinez, Valdo, Nene, Luis Garcia.

In this local derby Barcelona are clearly favourites and after have that 12 points difference with 2nd position in the league, have no other objective but just to think for both matches in Cup. Espanyol are not having good moments after they need with all the cost to win the match against Valladolid in the weekend and their coach Mane should think more about that match cause should be risky for them to think more for Cup and to leave in 2nd objective the league. Its clearly that Barcelona is in top form in this moment and have to much talented players and for this reason they should win this derby with more than 2 goals.


Prediction: Away win (-1 AH) (1.86 @ 10bet)



Good Luck!!!

[SUPER_9_PIPPO]

Good luck