No matter the relative league positions of the two teams, it's a game that is almost always chock-full of incident.
Catalan derbies are always full of incidents
Who can forget, for example, the 90th-minute Raul Tamudo goal at Camp Nou back in 2007 that handed the title to Real Madrid.
Or the time back in 2023 that Barca won the title at Saturday night's venue, the RCDE Stadium, prompting Espanyol's ultra supporters to storm the pitch and interrupt the visitors' celebrations.
There have been plenty of other 'flashpoints,' and the next instalment in this fixture is bound to be as keenly contested as any other.
Moreover, Espanyol might represent a much tougher opponent than in recent years, given the run that they are on under the current manager, Manolo Gonzalez.
Espanyol's great recent run
Los Periquitos have won their last five league games, and it's a run that has seen them move up the table to their current fifth position, just four points behind Atletico Madrid in third.
Barcelona are on an even better run of form, with their win against Villarreal at the Estadio de la Ceramica being their eighth in succession.
Sat proudly atop the Spanish top-flight, the Blaugranes will undoubtedly be keen to start the New Year in the same way that they ended the old one, thus ensuring that they remain at least four points clear of Real Madrid before heading off to play in the Spanish Super Cup.
Head-to-head results have fallen in the visitors' favour for some while now, and to give context to how difficult Espanyol could find the game, Barca are unbeaten in the last 28 Catalan derbies in the league, stretching all the way back to 2009.
During that period, the hosts have recorded a paltry 13 goals, whilst Barcelona have plundered an incredible 68.
Lamine Yamal's stunner on this ground last season
Two of those were scored last season at this stadium, via Lamine Yamal's goal-of-the-season contender - the ball flying past current Barca keeper Joan Garcia - and Fermin Lopez.
It is worth pointing out, though, that the hosts have scored twice in this exact fixture in two of the last three derbies played at RCDE Stadium.
With Robert Lewandowski's future in doubt and the Polish international now free to talk to other clubs, it will be interesting to see if Hansi Flick persists with Ferran Torres up front for the visitors, or puts Lewandowski back in the 'shop window.'
The Spanish marksman already has 11 goals this season and is only second to Kylian Mbappe (18) in terms of who has the most goals in the league in 2025/26.
Barca's high defensive line can be breached
Pere Milla is Espanyol's danger man in terms of goals, with three of his six so far being the game opener, and he, along with his colleagues, is unlikely to be overawed by Barcelona's free-flowing reputation, given how many times Flick's high defensive line has been breached this season.
Indeed, though Barca have scored 51 times in the league, which is the most of any team in 25/26, they've let in 20 goals, which is the most of the top seven teams in the division.
They can be got at, Espanyol won't need asking twice, and just two losses at home this season speak of a team full of confidence and ready to attack from the first whistle.
Though Barca last failed to win an away game when they faced Real Madrid in October, they have dropped eight points already on the road in the current campaign.
Pedri and Jules Kounde look set to make their returns from injury, although it is unclear how many minutes the former will play. Don't be surprised to see Marc Casado handed a start for the visitors, though he can operate in both the midfield and right-back slots, so could start in either.
Olmo and Araujo to return for Barcelona?
Garcia will face his old employers for the first time, and is likely to have to run the gauntlet from the terraces for the entire 90 minutes, which could well affect his judgement at times.
Dani Olmo comes back into contention too, along with Ronald Araujo, and the midweek Spanish Super Cup assignment is also likely to affect Flick's selection for this game.
Espanyol are missing Ramon Terrats through injury, while Charles Pickel is at the Africa Cup of Nations with the DR Congo squad.
Javi Puado has been sorely missed, and whilst he could be considered after overcoming his knee injury, it's likely that Gonzalez will only give him a cameo appearance at best, as the player looks to regain his fitness.
Ultimately, the hosts have got to get everything right on the day, against a Barcelona side that is top of the tree in terms of goals scored this season (51), total shots (358), shots on target (136), shot conversion rate (20%), passes made (11,652) and pass accuracy (89%).
