Bet of the Day: Value on Espanyol scoring at Camp Nou

Expect a Barca avalanche though

Espanyol head the short distance to Camp Nou to take on city rivals Barcelona in the Copa del Rey.

And what a game we have in-store. Espanyol defeated their more illustrious neighbours 1-0 in the first leg, breaking Barca’s unbeaten domestic run.

Ernesto Valverde will likely not take any chances in this second leg as he eyes a league and cup double. Most of the big guns will play, including Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Andres Iniesta.

Valverde has turned this Barca squad into a lean, efficient predator with some defensive solidity. However, the La Liga giants are not without issues. Thomas Vermaelen is out injured with a hamstring injury.

That will come as a blow to a backline already without their first choice and backup options. Sergio Busquets may have to play alongside Gerard Pique or a Barca B player could be called up.

Espanyol coach Quique Sanchez Flores will likely instruct his side to play on the break and that could make them dangerous.

Coral’s Bet of the Day is Both Teams To Score at 21/20.

Sprinkling some magic dust

Philippe Coutinho has yet to make his debut for Barca since signing a few weeks ago. But the Brazilian could be on the bench for this derby.

A thigh injury has kept the Brazilian out but he is now back in full training and likely to play some part in this.

If Barcelona still trail going into the second half, Valverde could call on the mercurial former Liverpool forward. Coutinho is 11/10 to score Anytime.

Luis Suarez has been on fire in recent weeks, amassing 10 goals in his last eight appearances. The Uruguayan is 9/5 to score two or more goals.

Formidable CdR record at Camp Nou

Barcelona haven’t lost to a side outside of Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey at Camp Nou since 2010.

Sevilla were the victors that day, knocking out Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering outfit.

Barca have scored four or more goals in 17 home ties in this competition since then. 15 of those games would have seen Blaugrana beat the -3 Handicap.

That price is 7/4 and well-worth looking at again. The -4 Handicap is tempting too at 15/4.

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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing