Under-par Barcelona welcome Espanyol to the Nou Camp this Saturday looking to get back to winning ways. Read on for our expert tips and predictions.

Barcelona have been heads and shoulders over their opponents and ahead on the head-to-head side of things with a 35-6 lead. It is also to be noted that they head into this one unbeaten in seven matches against their local rivals.

Would the Catalans prosper Xavi Hernandez at the helm ?

Barcelona have been utterly poor this season, sitting as low as ninth on the league standings and staring a UEFA Champions League group stage exit in the face. Former head coach Ronald Koeman's run of four straight league games without a win was the final straw that broke the camel's neck with the Dutchman getting dismissed shortly after. He has since been replaced by former Barcelona captain Xavi Hernandez who would be looking to get the Catalans back to the heights they reached when he was at the heart of their midfield. Although this would certainly be a big ask, the former Al Saad boss has made some positive changes, including bringing back former Barcelona defender Dani Alves and it is then left to see how they would fair this weekend.

Newly-promoted Espanyol have found their form following a tough start to the season, currently level on points with Saturday's opponents but are two places below given their inferior goal difference. Having failed to win in their last three league matches last month, they got back to winning ways just before the international break against Granada. Goals in the first half from Pedrosa and de Tomas made sure of all three points and Espanyol's fourth league win of the season. Would they use this as a platform to pull off a shock result this weekend ?

Barcelona vs Espanyol Team News

Barcelona possible starting XI:

Ter Stegen; Roberto, Araujo, Garcia, Alba; Gavi, Busquets, F De Jong; Depay, L De Jong, Coutinho

Espanyol possible starting XI:

Lopez; Vidal, Gomez, Cabrera, Pedrosa; Morlanes, Darder; Melamed, Melendo, Embarba; De Tomas

Barcelona vs Espanyol Prediction: 2-1

We don't expect Xavi's return this weekend to be a straightforward one with Espanyol's rearguard tough to break down. Nonetheless, we think the hosts would just do enough to get all three points and start off the Xavi era on a positive note.