Betting Analysis
Looking at the 1×2 market first. The big favourite for the match was Barcelona @1.25 but after a promising start and early goal, they gradually lost that level of control and somehow managed to draw the contest. The host odds of winning were 1.05 once ahead and it looked impossible they would not get the points. However, thanks to a soft penalty and numerous missed chances for Barcelona, the draw was the winning selection @ 6.50.
Moving onto the Asian handicap market for this contest. Barcelona probably should have covered the -1.75 handicap but again, missing clear opportunities when on top cost them and the backers of this line. In the end, punters that followed Espanyol +1.75 @ 1.99 were rewarded with a winning selection. Espanyol started slow but did demonstrate defensive resilience as the match grew on, and the overall commitment kept them competitive in this market.
Looking at The Under/Over market last of all where the line was set reasonably high at 3.25. As was suggested in our preview for this derby, the last two fixtures between these two at the same venue ended in narrow 1-0 home victories, and the Under [email protected] 1.92 was the way to go once more here. would have been the way to go.
Match Summary
Barcelona was left hugely disappointed and frustrated in a fiery Catalan derby draw. The result finished all square at 1-1, with Espanyol gifted a lifeline from the spot in a game which was ruined by terrible officiating from the same referee which was thrown out of the World Cup for being card happy.
It became a nasty affair after right Mateu Lahoz shocked the home side and pointed to the spot on 73 minutes. It came from the most minimal of contact from Marcos Alonso on Espanyol striker Joselu.
Barcelona had begun so well and scored from close range on seven minutes. The host continued to pepper the Espanyol goal and missed a close-range sitter to all but kill the game in the opening 15 minutes.
Xavi Hernández’s side kept creating chances, Oliván then raced back to block Raphinha’s shot. The Brazilian then went close again before the break.
Playmaker Gavi went off with an injury, but Barcelona continued to generate danger. Frustration continued for them as Lewandowski sent his header wide.
Having done well to stay in the game, Espanyol evened the contest out in the 2nd period but needed a hugely generous spot kick to pull level. Joselu took a clear dive after feeling a hand from Marcos Alonso and the referee stuck with his decision to punish the defender. Joselu picked himself up to slot his penalty kick down the middle.
The referee then lost control and the match descended into chaos as Jordi Alba and Vinicius Souza were sent off while Leandro Cabrera’s red card was rescinded.
Barcelona should have won it when it was 10v10, but keeper Fernández made fantastic saves to deny Christensen and Lewandowski. Fair score 2-0.
