Adama Traore bursts through the middle before feeding Gavi, who is well marked and forced backwards before the referee gives Espanyol a free kick for a foul in the box by Traore.

Always an emotional moment at Espanyol in the 21st minute as applause rings out around the stadium in tribute to Dani Jarque, who died in 2009 when he was captain of the club.

A terrible first couple of minutes aside Espanyol have played pretty well. It has been quite open since Pedri's early opener.

Espanyol are defending high and there's lots of space for Jordi Alba to run into on the left. He tries to get to a ball over the top but home keeper Diego Lopez gets to the ball first.

A roar from the home fans as Adama Traore pushes over Adria Pedrosa. Traore thinks Pedrosa went down a bit too easily and the referee agrees as no free kick.

Adama Traore gives chase to a ball over the top, he turns and darts into the area but shoots wide.

Gavi appears well in the mood for a local derby as he charges in on an opponent and I'm not entirely sure he had any idea where the ball was. Free kick to Espanyol.

Barcelona are in possession after a spirited response by the hosts and are now trying to slow down play, passing the ball patiently around in midfield.

It has been a decent response by Espanyol as Adria Pedrosa sees a shot blocked before Raul de Tomas drags an effort wide from the edge of the area.

The hosts won't be sitting back now, anyway, so should make for a high-scoring game.

Adria Pedrosa was presented with a special shirt to mark 100 appearances before kick off but barely five minutes later he was largely at fault for the opening goal as he left Pedri completely unmarked.

Espanyol are on the attack as they look to make amends for that early setback.

The derby is under way and immediately any touch of the ball by a Barcelona player is greeted by jeers.

Image source, Getty Images

Espanyol being back in the top flight means a welcome return for one of the best tunnels in football.

As tunnels go, an absolute belter.

Another start for Adama Traore then after he made his debut in the 4-2 win against Atletico Madrid.

He lines up alongside former Manchester City forward Ferran Torres in attack while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is again on the bench.

I say away trip, Barcelona are only heading a 15-minute drive away from the Nou Camp because this is of course a local derby.

Espanyol are back in the top flight after securing promotion last season and fans are clearly relishing the return of this fixture.

A superb atmosphere for the Catalan derby.

Image source, Getty Images

It wasn't that long ago that Barcelona and away wins used to go hand-in-hand. Indeed, only last season they were beaten just four times in La Liga on their travels.

It is a very different story this season where trips on the road have yielded just three league wins so far.

But back-to-back wins will give them some confidence of a successful away day at Espanyol tonight.