BARCELONA, Nov 1, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - La Liga leaders Barcelona have the chance
to move nine points clear of Real Madrid this weekend with victory in the
Catalan derby against city rivals Espanyol.

After thrashing Real Madrid 4-0 away last weekend Hansi Flick's side are
flying high on confidence and can build a huge lead over their arch-rivals.

Madrid's game at Valencia has been postponed after deadly flooding in the
region, along with nearby Villarreal's game against Rayo Vallecano.

The derby offers Barcelona a chance to flex their muscles in front of their
home fans after romping past the champions at the Santiago Bernabeu last
weekend.

Barca thrashed Bayern Munich 4-1 in the Champions League before that and
Flick, who arrived this summer to replace Xavi Hernandez at the helm, said
the key to his team's form is the good atmosphere at the club.

"When I started with my team, and all the experts, and (sporting director)
Deco and the president (Joan Laporta), we said we have to build an atmosphere
where the players can show their best performance," explained the coach after
thrashing Madrid.

"The atmosphere is really good and the mentality in the team is really
outstanding."

Barcelona have won 10 matches in La Liga and lost just once in their first 11
games, as well as inflicting Madrid's first defeat in the Spanish top flight
in over a year.

Flick believes his team are "in a (state of) flow" and that appears evident
on the pitch with veteran striker Robert Lewandowski in sensational form up
front, flanked by teenage star Lamine Yamal and Raphinha in the form of his
career.

Only two teams have conceded more than Espanyol in La Liga and their visit to
the Olympic stadium offers Barcelona a chance to keep adding to their table-
topping tally of 37 goals scored.

Lewandowski, 36, struck twice in the Clasico and has 14 league goals. The
forward looks back to his best after struggling to make an impact last
season.

Flick operates with a high defensive line which appears risky at times but
helped them defeat both Bayern and Spanish and European champions Madrid.

"We keep going with our idea, we have a flow at the moment and we have to
keep going," said Flick.

"(The strategy) looks dangerous, but it's not dangerous."

Espanyol, 17th, usually relish the chance to cause trouble for their city
rivals but Barcelona's ruthless form makes this derby an especially daunting
challenge.

Former Espanyol president Joan Collet, who led the club between 2012 and
2016, was especially pessimistic.

"Unfortunately I see very little chance of winning, I will not think about or
watch the match," he told Radio Despi.

"I will disappear off the map, I will turn off my phone and when it's over I
will see what happened.

"It's not that I have no hope, it's that they've taken all my hope away."

Elsewhere Atletico Madrid, fourth, will look to arrest their recent slump at
home against lowly Las Palmas, who are 18th.
Player to watch: Dodi Lukebakio

Sevilla started the season poorly but Belgian winger Lukebakio's form has
been vital in their recent surge up the table. The explosive forward struck
twice against Espanyol last week and with Chidera Ejuke out injured is
Sevilla's key weapon against Real Sociedad on Sunday.
Key stats

0 - Espanyol have failed to win a single match on the road this season

5 - Real Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro has kept the most clean sheets in La
Liga

148 - Barcelona have the most recoveries in the opposition half across the
top five European leagues this season
Fixtures

Friday (all times GMT)

Alaves v Mallorca (2000)

Saturday

Osasuna v Valladolid (1300), Girona v Leganes (1515)

Sunday

Atletico Madrid v Las Palmas (1300), Barcelona v Espanyol (1515), Sevilla v
Real Sociedad (1730), Athletic Club v Real Betis (2000)

Monday

Celta Vigo v Getafe (2000)

Postponed due to floods

Villarreal v Rayo Vallecano and Valencia v Real Madrid