Messi 13-12 Espanyol: Barça forward outscoring the Pericos in La Liga

Lionel Messi will face one of his preferred victims on Saturday when Barcelona travel to local rivals Espanyol in La Liga. The Barcelona captain usually scores when he takes on Espanyol, but it's another statistic that demonstrates the difference between the Ballon d'Or winner and La Liga's bottom side at the moment. Messi, the top scorer in the Spanish top flight, has scored more goals than the entire Espanyol side. 

With 18 games gone so far this season, Messi has scored a total of 13 goals, one more than Espanyol's whole squad have managed between them. The Pericos' lack of goal threat is one of the main reasons they find themselves in trouble at the bottom of the table and on to their third coach of the season. 

None of their forwards have scored more than one goal. Three players have scored twice in the league but they are defender Bernardo Espinosa and midfielders Marc Roca and Sergi Darder. In total, they have managed 12 goals, one less than Messi, who spent the first few weeks of the season on the sidelines with an injury. 

Messi, who has scored 25 goals in the Catalan derby against Espanyol, has the chance on Saturday to extend his lead over the side now being coached by former Barca defender Abelardo.