Sevilla, eager to bounce back after a tough loss to Barcelona, is gearing up for a crucial showdown against Espanyol at the iconic RCDE Stadium this Friday night. The visitors, currently in 13th place in the La Liga standings, are proud of their 12 points from their first 10 matches. Meanwhile, Espanyol, sitting in 15th place, has a respectable 10 points from their initial 10 games of the campaign. This match is significant for both teams as they strive to improve their standings in the league.
Espanyol has had a rollercoaster of a season so far, with three wins, one draw, and six losses in their 10 league matches, totaling 10 points. This rollercoaster ride has landed them in the 15th spot on the table, just two points clear of the dreaded relegation zone. The Catalan team has made a triumphant return to La Liga for the 2024-25 season, thanks to their hard-fought victory in last season’s Segunda Division playoffs. Now, they are eager to establish themselves again in the top tier of football.
Manolo Gonzalez’s squad experienced a golden streak this season from late August to mid-September, racking seven points across three thrilling matches. However, they’ve faced a tough road lately, suffering defeats in four out of their last five encounters in Spain’s premier league. Espanyol steps into this match following a tough 4-1 loss to Athletic Bilbao, and their defensive struggles this season are raising eyebrows. A troubling tally of 17 goals conceded marks one of the weaker records in the league.
The White and Blues faced a tough road during the 2022-23 season, suffering defeats in both league encounters against Sevilla. It’s been long since they last triumphed over their rivals in Spain’s top flight, with the last victory dating back to January 2017. This historical context adds an extra layer of anticipation to the upcoming match. As fate would have it, Sevilla is stepping onto the pitch after a tough loss to Barcelona, where they faced a staggering 5-1 defeat at the hands of the Catalan giants. This setback has dampened what was otherwise a promising streak for Garcia Pimienta’s squad.
Sevilla has experienced a season rollercoaster, with three thrilling victories, three nail-biting draws, and four tough losses across their ten league matches. This rollercoaster ride earned them 12 points, placing them in the 13th position on the table. They find themselves just a stone’s throw away from seventh-placed Real Betis, trailing by three points. Sevilla have been on a remarkable run, remaining unbeaten in their last 10 encounters with Espanyol in the top flight. With seven victories under their belt, they have truly dominated this matchup, having only faced defeat twice against the Catalan side in La Liga since January 2011.
Espanyol finds themselves in a bit of a pickle once more, as they will miss the talented Fernando Calero due to a pesky muscular issue. However, there’s hope on the horizon with the potential return of Javi Puado and Edu Exposito, leaving fans on the edge of their seats as they prepare for the crucial showdown against Sevilla. Puado has found the back of the net three times for Espanyol in La Liga this season, but unfortunately, he has been sidelined for the last two matches due to a pesky knee issue. The big question is whether this talented Spaniard will return on Friday night.
Head coach Gonzalez is set to shake things up after the tough loss to Athletic, with the promising Pere Milla and Alvaro Tejero likely to step into the starting lineup. Their potential impact on the game adds an element of excitement and curiosity. We also see Walid Cheddira debuting in the XI, bringing fresh energy to the squad. In the case of Sevilla, Saul Niguez is still nursing a thigh injury and will be sidelined. At the same time, Tanguy Nianzou is set to make a triumphant return to the squad after serving his suspension against Barcelona. Head coach Pimienta is set to stick to his guns and avoid drastically changing his lineup. However, expect to see Albert Sambi Lokonga making his entrance, and there’s a good chance that the returning Djibril Sow will also find his way back into the squad. Once again, Isaac Romero is poised to take the helm for Sevilla. At the same time, the dynamic duo of Chidera Ejuke and Dodi Lukebakio are anticipated to shine in the wide positions for the visitors this Friday night.
Considering Sevilla’s rich history and current performance, placing a wager on both teams finding the back of the net feels like a no-brainer.