ExtraFootie looks ahead to Saturday evening's Catalunya derby where the mighty Barcelona, shorn of Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, host struggling neighbours Espanyol at the Camp Nou.

Once again the question; Who can stop Barca? is something which continues to perplex the minds of every player and coach as La Liga gears up for the festive period.

Having dispatched improving Deportivo La Coruna 3-1 at the Estadio Riazor last weekend, which came on the back of a 2-0 triumph over Xerez, Pep Guardiola's unbeaten side proved once again they are streets ahead of the rest of the competition.

Last season's treble winners are slowly but surely regaining that form which saw them obliterate all before them as they clinched an unprecedented clean sweep of trophies, with near-neighbours Espanyol up next.

The match incidentally is Barca's last before they jet off to take part in the World Club Cup in Abu Dhabi, and Guardiola will want to ensure that his side leave for the Middle East with their 12th win in the bag and their place at the top of La Liga assured.

The visitors will want nothing more to throw a spanner in Barca's well-oiled machine and will be the 15th team to try to crack the enigma code of just how do you defeat Barcelona?!

Fortunately for Los Periquitos, they need not have to look far, as last season rookie coach Mauricio Pochettino took his relegation threatened side to the Camp Nou, praying profusely for "divine intervention."

Alas, his reverend prayers were answered as Espanyol grabbed a seemingly unthinkable 2-1 win, thus shocking the whole of the Camp Nou, Catalunya, Spain, Europe, heck even the Heaven's!

However, revenge is a dish best served cold, and seeing that Pochettin'’s men come into the match out of sorts (just like last season), after three consecutive defeats, in which time they conceded ten goals, this one is a home banker…isn't it?

Catch highlights of last season's totally unforeseen 2-1 win at the Camp Nou. You'd be unsurprised to hear that it was Victor Valdes gaffes which proved decisive!