'El Derbi Barceloni' is the most played local derby in the history of La Liga, with 150 matches between the Catalan sides of Barcelona and Espanyol. After their midweek game against Deportivo La Coruna, FC Barcelona will face Espanyol at Estadio Cornellá-El Prat.

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Naturally, with Barcelona such a potent force both domestically and in Europe, they have won the majority of the matches between the two sides.

Last season, in Barca's wonderful sextuple-winning campaign though, Espanyol were the first team in La Liga to win at Camp Nou which goes to show that even the best teams can have off days.

The danger for Barcelona is that this is not their biggest derby of the season. That is El Clásico, and the Catalan giants beat Real Madrid last week. Barca coach Josep Guardiola has been preaching that the hard work in winning at the Santiago Bernabeu counts for nothing if the three point advantage is wiped out in the following game.

Barcelona's attack has been built on a wonderful understanding between midfielder Xavi and forward Lionel Messi and so many of their goals this season have been the result of their interplay.

There are still other vital cogs in the machine though, and Andres Iniesta's injury is a big blow for the Catalan side. Iniesta will be out of action for a month and his skill and creativity cutting inside on the opposite flank to Messi have proved many a team's downfall.

With Zlatan Ibrahimovic's right calf still troubling him, it remains to be seen whether he can recover in time for the game. This would leave Guardiola with some difficult decisions to make.

At the Bernabeu, Lionel Messi played a central role while Dani Alves filled his usual spot on the right side of the attack. Guardiola could pick the same formation again or choose from Thierry Henry, Pedro and Bojan as the other players in his forward line.

Messi has made 45 appearances in all competitions for Barcelona and Argentina this season and, while his form is tremendous, Guardiola will still be wary of burnout. It is highly unlikely he will risk playing a strikeforce of Bojan, Henry and Pedro though.

While they are all very talented players, none of them are Leo Messi.

For Espanyol, this game is about pride more than anything as they appear practically safe from relegation. The game will be played at the Estadio Cornellá-El Prat, and Espanyol have been in good form at home.

Recent victories over Sevilla and Atletico Madrid are a good omen ahead of Barcelona's visit across the city, but Barcelona are a different prospect to any side in the world.

Espanyol must hope that a committed and disciplined approach will serve them well in the match while Real Madrid will be watching eagerly - willing them on.