The LaLiga leaders FC Barcelona are getting ready for a big derby. They’ll face Espanyol on January 3, 2026. Kick-off is set for 21:00 CET. This match is part of Matchday 18 of the 2025-26 LaLiga season. But, there’s a lot of talk about potential player returns. Specifically, whispers about Pedri, Roony, and Olmo joining the Barcelona squad again. However, any big Barcelona squad news about these players remains unconfirmed.
The Catalan Derby: Stakes are High
It’s always a massive game when Espanyol and FC Barcelona meet. This one is no different. Barcelona is sitting pretty at the top of LaLiga. They’ve got 46 points from 18 games. That’s a strong record: 15 wins, 1 draw, and only 2 losses. Their goal difference is +31. Pretty good, huh? You can always check the latest league standings on ESPN.
Espanyol, on the other hand, is having a solid season too. They’re currently 4th in the league. They’ve picked up around 33 points from 17 games. That’s like 10 wins, 3 draws, and 4 losses. Their +5 goal difference shows they’re doing well. They’ll be looking to make a statement against their rivals.
This match is a big deal for both teams. Barcelona wants to keep their lead. Espanyol wants to cement their spot in the top four. It’s going to be a fierce contest, you can bet on that.
Squad Speculation: The Unconfirmed Returns
So, there’s been a lot of chatter. Fans are talking about some big Barcelona names returning. Specifically, Pedri and Olmo. There’s also this name “Roony” floating around. But honestly, it’s all just talk right now.
A YouTube video from the Café Barça YouTube channel, posted on January 2, 2026, mentioned Pedri and Olmo training normally. It also said a player named “Dani” was returning. This video is in French. And it’s fan content, not official club news. That’s a key detail.
We haven’t seen any verified info from trusted sources. Nothing from official club channels. No big sports news outlets like ESPN FC Barcelona page have confirmed these returns. And this “Roony” player? No official results even confirm such a player exists in the Barcelona squad. It’s pretty strange, really.
When there’s real squad news, it usually comes directly from the club. Or from very reputable sports journalists. For example, back in May 2025, when Barcelona announced their squad for another LaLiga match against Espanyol, they were super clear. They listed Iñigo Martínez out with suspension. Jules Kounde and Marc Bernal had injuries.
Ferran Torres was out after surgery. But they also confirmed good news, like Pablo Torre and Pau Cubarsí were back. That’s how official announcements look, like you’d see on sites like BarcaBlaugranes. For this upcoming January 3rd match, we’re not seeing that kind of clear, official statement for Pedri, Olmo, or anyone else.
Espanyol’s Heart: Tyrhys Dolan’s Story
While Barcelona deals with rumor mills, Espanyol has players with deep stories. One of them is forward Tyrhys Dolan. He wears the number 24 for a very personal reason. It honors his close friend and former teammate, Jeremy Wisten. Wisten tragically took his own life at 18 after being released by Manchester City.
Dolan says Wisten “lived and breathed football.” He knows how tough it is for young players facing that kind of rejection. “When you’re younger, people don’t even say your name. They say ‘oh, there’s the footballer Tyrhys’ or ‘there’s the footballer Jeremy’,” Dolan explained. “Once you strip that back, you think ‘well if I’m not that, then who am I?'”
It’s pretty heartbreaking stuff. Dolan feels Wisten is with him on the pitch. His friend “achieved his dream” through Dolan playing. This experience made Dolan an ambassador for the Go Again charity. They help young footballers with the emotional impact of leaving academies. It’s a powerful story of resilience and remembrance for Espanyol.
What to Expect on Matchday 18
So, on January 3, 2026, we’ll see if any of these rumored Barcelona returns actually happen. Until then, fans should probably take the YouTube whispers with a grain of salt. Barcelona is in top form, even with any unconfirmed absences. Espanyol will be fired up, playing at home, and riding their own wave of good results.
It’s a derby. It’s LaLiga. And it’s going to be a pretty good match, no matter who’s on the pitch.
Annsly Raena 
Soureesh Datta 
Baishali Karmakar