It will be their second La Liga game in the space of three days for Lionel Messi and FC Barcelona, as they look to maintain their top spot in the Spanish table against Espanyol. 

Form 

Barcelona regained their spot at the top of La Liga with a 4-0 drubbing of Real Betis in their first game back in Spain after winning the Club World Cup. They now sit tied with Atletico Madrid at top of La Liga with 38 points, but the Catalan side have a game in hand on Atletico and will look to take all three points and the plaudits against Espanyol. They are also playing Espanyol in the Copa Del Rey as the first leg in the Round of 16 is five days after their La Liga fixture. In terms of Europe Barcelona have a while before they play in the Champions League. The first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 game against Arsenal is in February so the Catalans have a chance to focus on football in Spain. 

Espanyol will be looking to get back to winning ways after having their two game winning streak snapped in their 2-0 loss to Sevilla in their last match. This loss puts Espanyol at 13th but they are tied with Malaga and Real Betis on points and are only two points behind Valencia so their place in the table could change if they walk away with points from this fixture.

Team News

Ajax midfielder Riechedly Bazoer has said that the Catalans are interested in his services. Maybe a move for the 19 year old could be in the works but we will have to wait and see. 

Barca have also moved on from youngster Alejandro Grimaldo as he completed a transfer move to Benfica for 1.5M Euros. 

What They're Saying 

"After that everything changed. It bothered me that such a decision takes us out of the game. I do not know what he saw, it was a very strange penalty. They are bad decisions but we must accept them." said Real Betis manager Pepe Mel to reporters (via ESPNFC) when asked about the controversial decision.  

When asked about Villarreal youngster Denis Suarez, Barcelona manager Luis Enrique said : "He could be an interesting player" in his pregame press conference before Real Betis (via ESPNFC). 

Prediction 

It looks like this will be an easy game for Barcelona as they are still in top form and are riding high from their Club World Cup win.