La Liga preview: David and Goliath tussle

Espanyol will be counting on vocal home support in an effort to contain rivals Barcelona in La Liga on Saturday.

The Catalan capital’s second club have long lived in the shadow of the more glamorous Barca, who have developed a knack for upstaging their long-suffering neighbours.

In April 2006 Espanyol beat Barca in the final of the Copa Del Rey, only for Barca to secure a double of league championship and European Cup just a month later.

In 2009 they moved from the hand-me-down Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys to the new Estadi Cornella-El Prat, but the official opening came with Barca still crowing over their unprecedented treble of La Liga title, Copa del Rey and Champions League just months earlier.

Barca secured yet another league title last season, but could only manage a 0-0 draw on their first visit to the Cornella, with goalkeeper Victor Valdes admitting the hostile environment made an immediate impression.

“In my career I’ve played in some tough stadiums and last year (at the) Cornella was an intense match,” Valdes said.

“The fans are close to the goalkeeper. But any player likes playing in that kind of stadium, because of the extra motivation given by the atmosphere.”

It remains to be seen if a boisterous crowd can make a difference as Espanyol attempt to stem the blue and red tide that is threatening to swamp the Spanish top flight.

League leaders Barca are unbeaten since their shock round two home defeat to Hercules and face Espanyol after thrashing Real Sociedad 5-0 at Camp Nou.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, welcome Sevilla to the Santiago Bernabeu, battling a mounting injury crisis and well aware that any slip-ups are likely to result in Barca stretching their two-point lead further.

Third-place Villarreal are at home to Mallorca, while Valencia – who gave away a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 at home to Osasuna on Monday – make the trip to promoted Real Sociedad.

The bottom two, Real Zaragoza and Sporting Gijon, visit Osasuna and Deportivo La Coruna respectively, while third-bottom Malaga host Atletico Madrid, who surrendered their Europa League title with a group stage exit on Thursday.

Levante and Almeria, struggling near the relegation zone, are at home to Athletic Bilbao and Getafe respectively, before Racing Santander meet Hercules on Monday.