体坛英语新闻：All set for Barcelona city derby

MADRID, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona face one of the most difficult games of the season when they face city rivals Espanyol on Sunday night.

Newly crowned World Club Champions, Barca travel to the Cornella-El Prat Stadium after starting the weekend three points behind title rivals Real Madrid and that gap could have grown to six points by the time the match kicks off if Real Madrid beat Granada on Saturday.

The Barcelona coach, Pep Guardiola, was named as the best coach in the World by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics on Friday and he has virtually a full squad to choose from.

Striker David Villa is out with a broken leg, while Ibrahima Affelay is still recovering from his knee operation, but Andres Iniesta has shaken off a muscle problem that he suffered before Christmas and will be able to play, as will Alexis Sanchez, who played for 20 minutes in Wednesday's Copa del Rey win at home to Osasuna.

Guardiola is likely to resort to his three-man defense away to Espanyol with Dani Alves playing as a false winger, while Eric Abidal, Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol provide the defensive cover.

Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernandez and Cesc Fabrigas will play in midfield, while Leo Messi, Iniesta and Alexis are likely to provide pace and mobility in attack.

Guardiola has already warned his players that facing their neighbors will be as tough as playing away to sides such as Valencia or Real Madrid and Espanyol always look to perform against Barcelona.

Espanyol are enjoying a solid season and are in eighth place in the BBVA Primera Liga with 23 points. Mauricio Pochettino's side suffered a surprise 2-1 defeat away to Cordoba in the Copa del Rey on Thursday, but have built their season primarily on solid home form.

Striker Sergio Garcia is a constant threat for rival defenses with his mobility, while Cristian Alvarez is enjoying a good season in goal, although this will be his first derby against Barca.

Espanyol will count on 40,000 fans in their ground in the hope that the atmosphere will intimidate their Barca, but as Real Madrid have already discovered this season, it needs more than a hostile atmosphere to disturb Guardiola's men.