Prediction: Espanyol vs Sevilla

Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves

Best Odds: 17/20

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Two sides who are hoping to find a route into the top-half of the La Liga table, Espanyol will welcome Sevilla to Catalonia on Friday night.

Espanyol

Starting with the hosts, while Espanyol might have opened October with a 2-1 victory against Mallorca, Manolo Gonzalez’s side have continued to show a string of glaring issues over the past month. Marking their return from the fortnight interval with a worrying 4-1 drumming away at Athletic Bilbao, the Parakeets are starting to look over their shoulder at a looming relegation scrap. Desperate to keep hold of their La Liga status this season, the former Espanyol coach has seen his squad lose four of their previous five showdowns against top-flight opposition. With their recent struggles underlined by another 4-1 loss at the hands of defending champions Real Madrid on September 21st, Espanyol are also seeking some crucial defensive resolve. Along with mustering just a single La Liga clean sheet so far this season, they have already conceded 17 goals in just their first 10 appearances.

Team News

Both dealing with respective knee injuries, Espanyol will once again be without the duo of Javi Puado, and former Eibar midfielder Exposito. However, ahead of Friday’s return to Catalonia, Gonzalez’s side have reported a clean bill of health and have no fresh injury concerns to worry about this weekend.

Returning from a knock and making a second-half appearance away at Athletic Bilbao last week, former Getafe defender Leandro Cabrera could be handed a full recall here. Arriving from Premier League outfit Tottenham over the summer transfer window, Alejo Veliz will lead Espanyol’s charge.

Sevilla

As for the visitors, marking their return from October’s international break with a woeful display as they slumped to a 5-1 drumming at the hands of Barcelona, Sevilla are seeking an immediate response here. Heading into October’s international break with a gritty 1-0 victory at home against Real Betis, Xavier Pimienta’s side are once again seeking some crucial La Liga stability. Putting just a trio of wins on the board from any of their opening 10 showdowns against top-flight opposition, the Andalusia-based outfit have also continued to show some extended issues away from the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. In fact, continuing on from last season, Sevilla have collected just four points from any of their previous eight La Liga appearances on the road. Likewise, with just a single clean sheet on their travels since the middle of April, Pimienta’s camp will have plenty of pressure on their shoulders here.

Team News

While Tanguy Nianzou might have missed out against Barcelona last weekend after serving a one-match suspension, the former Bayern Munich youngster could be handed an immediate return here. However, not featuring over the past month and still dealing with a muscle injury, ex-Atletico Madrid star Saul Niguez remains a real doubt.

Coming off the bench and bagging a consolation strike at the Nou Camp, 19-year-old Stanis Idumbo will be hoping to get some more minutes under his belt. Completing a permanent move to Andalusia over the summer, Nigerian international Chidera Ejuke could be handed the chance to lead Sevilla’s charge.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Espanyol and Sevilla last met during the 2022/23 campaign, Friday’s guests won both of their two La Liga showdowns by a 3-2 scoreline.
• Espanyol have lost four of their previous five La Liga appearances on either side of October’s international break.
• Conceding 17 La Liga strikes so far this season, Espanyol hold the third-worst defensive tally among Spain’s elite.
• Sevilla have recorded just a trio of wins from any of their first 10 La Liga appearances this season.
• Continuing on from last season, Friday’s guests have recorded just four points from any of their previous eight La Liga appearances on the road.

Conclusion

Two sides who marked their return from October’s international break with their own respective nightmares, both Espanyol and Sevilla are seeking a much-needed boost on Friday night. With the Catalonia-based outfit already shipping 17 La Liga strikes this season, Los Nervionenses have also gained a reputation for their extended issues on the road. With the two sides producing a pair of five-goal thrillers when they met during the 2022/23 campaign, we could be set for an enjoyable showdown this weekend.

Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves 

Best Odds: 17/20

Bookmaker: Dachbet