Verdict: Both teams to score – No
Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Seeking a much-welcomed response on Monday night, Espanyol will mark their return from November’s international break when they welcome Sevilla to the RCDE Stadium.
Espanyol
Starting with the hosts, while Espanyol might have enjoyed a sensational start to proceedings when getting the new campaign underway back in August, the Parakeets struggled to find any real stability prior to November’s fortnight interval. Heading into the international break with consecutive La Liga defeats against Villarreal and Espanyol, Manolo Gonzalez’s men know the importance of dusting themselves down here. Despite remarkably getting this weekend’s fixtures underway sat in the European spots, Espanyol have won just a pair of their previous eight La Liga appearances. Likewise, suffering back-to-back losses for the first time this season, Monday’s hosts have also shown some extended struggles in Catalonia. Including a 2-0 defeat against Villarreal last time out, Gonzalez’s side have notched just a single win from their previous four showdowns at the RCDE Stadium.
Espanyol Team News
While Villarreal loanee Carlos Romero might have been forced to miss out against his parent club last time out, the 24-year-old should be handed a full recall here. However, not featuring since the start of October, academy graduate Javi Puado remains on the sidelines with a knee injury.
Completing a permanent switch from Real Sociedad over the summer, Urko Gonzalez will start in the middle of the park. Despite notching just a pair of La Liga strikes so far this season, fellow new recruit Roberto Fernandez Jaen will spearhead Espanyol’s attack.
Sevilla
As for the visitors, while Sevilla might have entered November’s international break with a crucial 1-0 victory at home against Osasuna, Los Nervionenses have once again shown plenty of cause for concern this season. Getting November underway with a routine 3-0 drumming at the hands of Atletico Madrid, Matias Almeyda’s men have lost each of their other three La Liga appearances and they have come under even more scrutiny. However, despite travelling to Catalonia on Monday night pencilled in as a real underdog contender, Sevilla should be excited by a dominant recent record against the Parakeets. Including a 2-0 win when they last travelled to the RCDE Stadium back in October 2024, Almeyda’s side have registered 10 points from their previous four La Liga meetings and they have not suffered a single defeat against Espanyol since way back in 2017.
Sevilla Team News
While Chilean superstar Alexis Sanchez might have been dealing with a reported thigh issue prior to November’s international break, Sevilla are hopeful that the former Arsenal skipper will be able to play some part here. Likewise, academy graduate Isaac Romero should be part of Almeyda’s travelling squad on Monday night after recovering from a groin injury.
Immediately cementing his spot as Almeyda’s number one choice, Newcastle loanee Odysseas Vlachodimos will start between the sticks in Catalonia. Bagging the winner against Osasuna last time out and recording a third Serie A strike of the season, Switzerland international Ruben Vargas will play a leading role in attack.
Espanyol vs Sevilla Key Factors to Consider
- When Espanyol and Sevilla last met back on January 25th, Monday’s opponents played out a 1-1 stalemate in Andalusia.
- Including a 2-0 win when they last travelled to the RCDE Stadium back in October 2024, Sevilla have registered 10 points from their previous four La Liga meetings against the Parakeets.
- Sevilla have not suffered a single defeat against Espanyol across any competition since way back in January 2017.
- Espanyol have suffered consecutive La Liga defeats for the first time this season.
- Despite landing a 1-0 win against Osasuna prior to November’s international break, Sevilla have lost each of their other three La Liga appearances.
Conclusion
Getting this weekend’s fixtures underway remarkably scrapping it out in the European spots, Espanyol will be desperately searching for a much-welcomed boost here. Heading into November’s international break with consecutive La Liga defeats against Villarreal and Alaves and showing some recent issues on home soil, we could be set for a nervy affair from Catalonia. Two camps who are searching for some crucial stability, don’t be surprised to see chances come at a premium at the RCDE Stadium.
Verdict: Both teams to score – No
Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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