(Photo: Reuters/Gustau Nacarino)Barcelona's Lionel Messi (C) controls the ball against Valencia's Gago during their Spanish first division soccer match against Valencia at Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona September 2, 2012.

Barcelona vs Espanyol takes place on Sunday afternoon as the Catalan club looks to tighten their grip on the Spanish La Liga title. The game is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. ET and can be watched online through free live stream by clicking on the link provided below.

The undefeated Barcelona side will host their crosstown rivals, and are hot favorites to claim the win.

Espanyol are struggling this season and are fighting in the La Liga relegation battle at present.

However, despite both teams being at opposite ends of the table this should still be a fantastic game and Espanyol are sure to raise their game and intensity for this clash against their old foes.

Espanyol are unlikely to sit back and will be going in fiercely against the Barcelona players. The relegation threatened team is desperate for three points, but also desperate for a big win that can change the direction of their season. There is no better way to lift the morale and spirit of the squad than to gain points from a game against Barcelona - widely heralded as the best team in the world at present.

This game will be the first back for both clubs since the Spanish La Liga winter break, and so both teams should be fully rested and enter the game with a high tempo.

Barcelona have established themselves as the clear favorites for the La Liga title this year as last year's winners Real Madrid have struggled and dropped too many points in the first half of the season. If Barcelona can continue their amazing form in the league over the next month or so they could see the league title heading their way weeks prior to the end of the season.

Barcelona vs Espanyol is scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. ET and can be watched online through free live stream by clicking here.