The champions, with 94 points, are looking to match Real Madrid's record La Liga mark of 100 achieved last season, and have to win their remaining two games away this weekend and at home to Malaga on June 1.
Espanyol, known as 'the parakeets', are 11th with nothing left to play for but will be keen to spoil the aspirations of their more illustrious neighbours, who they believe receive more than their fair share of support from local institutions.
"Calling all the pigeons of Barcelona... to the statue immediately to do what you have to do!!!" an Australia-based Espanyol fan club with the handle @pericoz said on Twitter.
Real Sociedad and Valencia, in fourth and fifth respectively with 62 points apiece, resume their duel for La Liga's last ticket into Europe's elite club competition.
The clubs occupying the bottom three places, Real Zaragoza, one point from safety with 34, Real Mallorca with 32, and basement side Celta Vigo with 29, all play away at Real Betis, King's Cup winners Atletico Madrid and Real Valladolid respectively.
"I think there is more pressure if you are on the edge thinking you might fall in, than being below hoping you can get out," Celta goalkeeper Javi Varas said this week.
"We still have a slender chance... but we have to focus on our game because if we don't win it is all over."
