Sevilla will be eager to bounce back from their painful defeat to Barcelona when they travel to take on Espanyol in La Liga at the RCDE Stadium on Friday night. Whichever teams-the two have been poor in the early parts of the campaign-have the chance to lift themselves up as the match comes alive. Sevilla lies 13th with 12 points from 10 matches while Espanyol is 15th, two points behind with 10 points.
Match Preview
Espanyol have not had the easiest of times since their return to La Liga, following promotion via the Segunda Division playoffs last season. Three wins, one draw, and six losses from their opening 10 league games have left them just two points above the relegation zone. Their biggest concern has been their defensive frailties, having let in 17 goals, one of the worst defensive records in the division.
Until recently, Manolo Gonzalez’s side was enjoying a purple patch from August to September while accruing seven points in three matches. However, four losses in their last five games -one of those a heavy 4-1 defeat at the hands of Athletic Bilbao- have derailed them. Espanyol have struggled against Sevilla in the past as they have not beaten them in La Liga since January 2017 and lost both meetings last season.
Meanwhile, Sevilla will be looking to rebound after an embarrassing 5-1 loss to Barcelona. Going into the defeat, Garcia Pimienta’s men had put together a fine streak, recording seven points from matches against Real Valladolid, Athletic Bilbao, and Real Betis. It has been a mixed bag of a season so far for Sevilla, who have accumulated three wins, three draws, and four losses, meaning they remain within striking distance of the top half, lying only three points behind seventh-placed Real Betis.
Sevilla have been in control of this fixture in recent times, unbeaten in the last 10 La Liga meetings with Espanyol, with seven wins coming from those. In fact, Sevilla have lost just twice to Espanyol since 2011, making them huge favourites going into this tie.
Current Form
Espanyol’s La Liga form:
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Sevilla’s La Liga form:
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Team News
Espanyol:
Already without Fernando Calero because of a muscular problem, Espanyol will also be sweating on the fitness of Javi Puado and Edu Exposito. Attacking midfielder Puado has not played in the last couple of matches because of a knee injury and it is uncertain whether he will recover in time for Friday’s match; he has scored three goals this term.
Coach Manolo Gonzalez will effect many changes after their defeat to Athletic Bilbao as Pere Milla and Alvaro Tejero will probably come into the starting XI while Walid Cheddira could get a start up attack too.
Sevilla:
Sevilla will be without Saul Niguez as he is still recovering from the thigh injury, but otherwise, clean. Tanguy Nianzou returns after serving out his suspension and will thus be available for selection. Garcia Pimienta is unlikely to make extensive changes despite the defeat to Barcelona, Albert Sambi Lokonga is expected to start, while Djibril Sow could also return after recovering from an injury.
Isaac Romero will again lead the attack for Sevilla, while Chidera Ejuke and Dodi Lukebakio provide from the wings.
Predicted Lineups:
Espanyol possible starting lineup:
Garcia; El Hilali, Gomez, Kumbulla, Olivan; Gragera, Lozano, Milla; Tejero, Cheddira, Romero
Sevilla possible starting lineup:
Nyland; Carmona, Bade, Nianzou, Pedrosa; Agoume, Lokonga, Sow; Ejuke, Romero, Lukebakio
Prediction
This may be a very contested match with both teams hungry to get back to winning ways after recent defeats, but the head-to-head record and quality in the Sevilla squad sees them through. Espanyol would give a tough fight to avoid slipping into the relegation crisis zone.
Prediction: Espanyol 1-2 Sevilla
