Context:

Barcelona edges closer to clinching their 28th La Liga title after a dramatic 4-3 victory over rivals Real Madrid, setting up a crucial match against Espanyol. The upcoming fixture becomes significant as a win, coupled with a Madrid slip-up against Mallorca, could secure the title for Barcelona. However, Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick faces challenges with injuries and suspensions affecting his defensive lineup, notably the absence of Inigo Martinez due to suspension and a possible injury to Pau Cubarsi. Espanyol, placed 14th in the standings, is fighting to avoid relegation and needs a positive result to ensure safety, despite their recent setback against Leganes. The match's outcome hinges on strategic lineup decisions from both sides, with Espanyol considering a return to a four-man defense and Barcelona adjusting to accommodate returning players and cover for absentees.

Dive Deeper:

• Barcelona's thrilling 4-3 victory over Real Madrid has them on the brink of winning the La Liga title, with a win against local rivals Espanyol potentially securing their championship status if Madrid fails to win against Mallorca.

• Hansi Flick's team is dealing with significant defensive issues, including the suspension of Inigo Martinez and potential injury concerns for Pau Cubarsi, complicating their lineup for the match against Espanyol.

• Espanyol, sitting 14th in the standings, is not yet safe from relegation and requires a positive result to secure their position, especially after a recent 3-2 loss to Leganes.

• Espanyol's coach, Manolo Gonzalez, may abandon the recently employed five-man defense after it failed against Leganes, opting instead for a traditional 4-2-3-1 formation, depending on the fitness of key players like Brian Olivan and Pol Lozano.

• Barcelona is expected to make several changes in defense, with Eric Garcia, Ronald Araujo, and Andreas Christensen likely to start, while Robert Lewandowski is anticipated to return to the starting lineup to strengthen the attack.

• The match's strategic importance is underscored by the potential for Espanyol to confirm their safety from relegation and for Barcelona to officially claim the title, depending on the outcomes of concurrent matches.

• Broadcasting details highlight that this La Liga match will be available across various platforms, emphasizing the global interest and significance of the fixture in the football calendar.