Xavi will take charge of Barcelona for the first time on Saturday in a derby against Espanyol. Can he get off to a perfect start with a big win?
Bookmaker William Hill has the odds at 3.50 for Barcelona to win by at least three goals and at 7.00 for a win with four-plus goals.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: November 18th, 7:00 P.M. (EST)
The 41-year-old Spaniard is back in Catalunya after dominating with Al Sadd in the Qatar Stars League. He racked up seven trophies in 30 months at the club and left with the team on a 36-game unbeaten run in the league. His work has been impressive, but the legendary midfielder, who won 25 trophies as a player with Barca, is unproven as a manager in top-level football.
Xavi will have to adapt very quickly to his new surrounding with Barcelona having made one of the worst starts to a season this century and struggling to even stay in contention for the European spots. They had a real shocker before the latest international break blowing a 3-0 lead to draw with Celta Vigo. Prior to that, the Blaugrana had won a whopping 276 straight league fixtures in which they had held a three-goal lead.
It won’t be easy for Xavi to turn things around, but at least he can count on the red-hot Memphis Depay. He’s just become the Netherlands’ top scorer in World Cup qualifiers and has produced a spectacular year for his national side with 17 goals and eight assists in 16 outings. Barca should fly up the table if he can replicate the form for his club side.
Espanyol have always been the smaller side in Barcelona with no chance of competing with their big brother, but the two sides are actually on even points ahead of Saturday’s clash, which should make this a fascinating watch.
Led by Vicente Moreno, the Budgerigars have lost just twice in their last nine outings. The team has shown great collective effort and Raul de Tomas is shining upfront. The 27-year-old boasts seven goals and two assists in 12 league appearances this season and has just made his Spain debut. It’s an impressive feat by a striker who’s scored 75 of his 115 career goals in the Spanish second tier.
Espanyol haven’t beaten Barcelona in the league since 2009, but the form of de Tomas and their neighbor’s struggles will give them hope that there’s a realistic chance to end the miserable win-less run.
