A New Era Begins at Barcelona

A new era begins at Barcelona this weekend as Espanyol visit Camp Nou for Xavi’s first game in the Blaugrana dugout.

Elsewhere, leaders Real Sociedad welcome Valencia to the Reale Arena, while reigning champions Atletico Madrid bid to keep their nine-month unbeaten home run going against Osasuna.

Here is everything you need to know ahead of Matchday 14 in LaLiga.

Game of the week: Barcelona vs Espanyol (Saturday, 8pm)

Xavi’s debut in the Barcelona dugout is bound to be a momentous occasion. 

But the club legend will be squarely focused on getting his tenure off to a strong start by preventing a run of three home games without a win.

With these sides level on points, this looks set to be an unusually evenly-matched Derbi Barceloni.

Victory for Espanyol could take them as high as sixth, while defeat for Barca could see them drop as low as 13th place.

The omens are good for the hosts, who have not lost to their neighbours in LaLiga since February 2009.

But the visitors are in decent form, winning three and losing only one of their last six games — having managed just one win in their opening seven following promotion back to the top flight.

Here are the other big games to watch this weekend…