Espanyol vs Elche Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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Espanyol have been left frustrated by their opening six matches in La Liga as the Catalans now welcome Elche to the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / USA – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so any game may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / USA – ESPN+
Espanyol preview: Frustrated Espanyol
Espanyol come into this one on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Rayo Vallecano at Butarque in Leganes the other day with Roberto Fernandez scoring his sixth goal of the season in La Liga after scoring just seven goals last year.
Espanyol have started the season well in terms of their performance level but they have been undermined with inconsistent results. They have been quite fun to watch at both ends of the pitch.
Elche preview: Heartbreak twice in a row
For a second home game in a row, Elche found themselves 2-0 down before fighting back only to concede a late winner – firstly against Real Sociedad and then against Real Madrid the other day.
Elche, who survived relegation on the final day of last season, parted company with Eder Sarabia over the summer but his replacement, Martin Anselmi, have started this season with just two points collected from their opening six matches.
Espanyol team news: El Hilali suspended
Espanyol right-back Omar El Hilali is missing through suspension after being sent off in midweek, with Jofre Carreras now a doubt due to sustaining a groin injury, too.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Dmitrovic; Drkusic, Riedel, Leandro Cabrera, Roger Hinojo; Gabriel Moscardo, Urko Gonzalez; Rafel Bauza, Javi Hernandez, Hartman; Roberto Fernandez
Unavailable: El Hilali (Suspended), Andono Gorosabel (Injured), Javi Puado (Injured), Kike (Injured)
Questionable: Jofre Carreras (Injured)
Elche team news: Nothing fresh
There are no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues for Elche to deal with this weekend as defensive midfielder Yago Santiago remains their only absentee.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Matias Dituro; Sangare, Federico Redondo, Victor Chust; Tete Morente, Gustavo Villar, Marcos Aguado, Revivo; Neto, Osorio, German Valera
Unavailable: Yago Santiago (Injured)
Questionable:
Espanyol vs Elche prediction
Elche are beginning this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting rock-bottom but they have been proactive and have shown some fight in recent matches, with a victory seemingly just around the corner. They now come up against a similarly frustrated albeit much stronger Espanyol side and the hosts do remain favourites for this one with both teams scoring seeming a decent bet.
Espanyol vs Elche tip: Espanyol to win & both teams to score
