Espanyol vs Barcelona: probable lineups and absences for the LaLiga match

RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona face each other this Saturday in LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26 at the RCDE Stadium (9:00 PM CEST), for the eighteenth matchday of the tournament. Hansi Flick's team arrives with three players out due to injury, including Ronald Araujo, who is still not at full fitness despite returning to training this week.

We review the possible starting lineup, the substitute bench, and the injured and suspended players for Hansi Flick's Barcelona for the match against Espanyol, the first official match of 2026. Complete analysis!

Possible Barça Starting XI against Espanyol

1. (#13, P) Joan García
2. (#23) Jules Koundé
3. (#05) Pau Cubarsí
4. (#18) Gerard Martín
5. (#03) Alejandro Balde
6. (#24) Eric García
7. (#21) Frenkie de Jong 
8. (#08) Pedri
9. (#10) Lamine Yamal
10. (#11) Raphinha
11. (#09) Robert Lewandowski

Barça Bench (substitute players)

1. (#01, P) Marc-André ter Stegen
2. (#25, P) Szczesny
3. (#07) Ferran Torres
4. (#14) Marcus Rashford
5. (#16) Fermín López
6. (#17) Marc Casadó
7. (#20) Dani Olmo
8. (#22) Marc Bernal
9. (#26) Jofre Torrents
10. (#27) Dro Fernández
11. (#28) Roony Bardghji
12. (#43) Tommy Marqués

Injured Barça Players

1. (#04) Ronald Araujo.
2. (#06) Gavi
3. (#15) Andreas Christensen

Sanctioned Barça players:

1.  None.

Flick's Potential Surprises and Tactical Variations Against Espanyol

Lamine Yamal and Pedri enter the FIFA The Best 2025 Ideal XI

In principle, Hansi Flick plans to make a couple of adjustments to his XI against Villarreal (0-2), with Pedri González returning as an attacking midfielder. Robert Lewandowski could also return to the attack in place of Ferran Torres

Goalkeeping and defense

• Joan García will be in goal, while Jules Koundé and Alejandro Balde would be the full-backs. In the center of defense, Pau Cubarsí and Gerard Martín should remain in the middle. Ronald Araujo is still out. Marc Casadó and Jofre Torrents would await their chance on the bench. Ter Stegen will be a substitute along with Szczesny.

Midfield:

• As a pivot, Eric García is set to be Frenkie de Jong's partner in midfield, while Pedri González would be the team's attacking midfielder instead of Fermín López. Marc Bernal could get minutes in the second half, as could Fermín. Dani Olmo returns to the squad after a month out.

Forward:

• In attack, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha would complete the Blaugrana attack alongside Robert Lewandowski. Ferran Torres and Roony Bardghji would be substitutes this Saturday, as would Marcus Rashford. The Swede, however, is doubtful after missing Friday's training session.

Barça Absences: Which players will miss the duel against Espanyol due to injury?

Currently, only two players are out due to significant injuries. Pablo Gavi continues his recovery from knee surgery and could return to action in mid-February. Andreas Christensen suffered a partial cruciate ligament tear before the trip to Villarreal and is expected to be out for four or more months.

Ronald Araujo, for his part, returned to training this week at the Ciutat Esportiva, but he is not yet at peak physical condition to play. The 'charrúa' is aiming for the Spanish Super Cup next week to return to an official squad, something that hasn't happened since November 25

Possible Espanyol Lineup Against Barcelona

• Probable XI: Dmitrovic; El Hilali, Calero, Cabrera, Romero; Pol Lozano, González, Expósito; Pere Milla, Dolan; Roberto Fernández.
• Bench: Serred (GK), Fortuño (GK), Rubio, Salinas, Riedel, Sánchez, Picket, Hernández, Roca, Koleosho, Carreras, Kike García.
• Injured: Ramón Terrats.
• Suspended: None.

Espanyol, for their part, arrive at matchday 18 of LaLiga without significant injury absences and with five consecutive victories in the tournament. Manolo García's team comes from surprising Athletic at San Mamés (1-2) and plans to maintain the core of their XI against the 'lions' on matchday 18.

Barring a surprise, the 'pericos' will take to the Cornellà pitch with Dmitrovic and the center-back pairing of the experienced Fernando Calero and Leandro Cabrera. Hilali and Carlos Romero will be the full-backs, while in midfield will be Pol Lozano, Edu Expósito, and Urko González.

Up front, Pere Milla and Tyrhys Dolan should accompany Roberto Fernández, the team's '9'. On the bench, Kike García awaits his chance, who at 36 years old has scored 5 goals in the tournament.

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