Barca continues lap of honor with derby at Espanyol

May 24, 2013 - 5:31 PM Barcelona, Spain (Sports Network) - Barcelona will continue its lap of honor in potentially hostile fashion as the champions head to the Estadi Cornella-El Prat for a derby match against Espanyol.

With neither side having anything to play for, Sunday's Barcelona derby would seem to be a much more tame affair than the heated battles to which they are accustomed.

But that may not be the case as Barcelona still can expect a noisy welcoming from Espanyol supporters.

"I understand their fans' reaction, as long as the players don't turn their backs on us, but (Espanyol keeper) Kiko Casilla said this Wednesday that the players would give us the guard of honor," Xavi told the club's official website. "Footballing respect is what's important - in the same way we had to make the guard when Real Madrid were crowned champions."

Barcelona comes into the weekend in 94 points, meaning that maximum points from its final two matches would see the club finish in triple digits.

Espanyol has even less to play for as the club enters the round clear of the relegation zone but too far adrift of European contention.

Still, Javier Aguirre's side will be hoping to make it a strong finish - Espanyol comes into the weekend having managed just one point from its last four La Liga contests.

The relegation battle is still very much alive, though. Six teams enter Sunday's slate of fixtures with a chance of being demoted to the Segunda Division.

Celta Vigo occupies last place with 31 points and will have to head to the Jose Zorrilla to face Valladolid. Mallorca, sitting one spot above Celta on 32 points, returns to the pitch with a tough encounter against third-place Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon. And Real Zaragoza, the final club in the relegation zone with 34 points, resumes action with a clash against Real Betis at the Benito Villamarin.

Sitting just outside the drop zone, Deportivo, Osasuna and Granada all take to the field on Sunday as they prepare to face Malaga, Sevilla and Valencia, respectively.

Real Madrid will be playing for pride with just two matches remaining in its season. The Merengues conceded defeat to Atletico in the Copa del Rey final last week, meaning that they will finish the campaign without silverware. Jose Mourinho will be hoping to end his spell in Madrid on a high, starting with the club's trip to the Anoeta to face Real Sociedad.

Wrapping up Sunday's La Liga slate, Athletic Bilbao hosts Levante at San Mames and Getafe welcomes Rayo Vallecano to the Coliseum Alfonso Perez.