Espanyol vs Oviedo Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Espanyol have declined after a bright start to the campaign as they now welcome Real Oviedo to the RCDE Stadium in Catalonia on Monday night.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – 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 / US – ESPN+
Espanyol preview: Desperate for a win
Following the takeover of the club by Burnley owner Alan Pace in the summer, Espanyol started so well it seemed as though they could even push towards the top five this season but the Catalans are in abject form at the moment in terms of results.
The home team come into this one on the back of a 2-2 draw with Elche in their most recent outing last weekend. That draw means that they are now winless in their last nine matches and under a bit of pressure.
Oviedo preview: Destined for the drop
They now face a Real Oviedo side that succumbed to a 3-0 hammering at the hands of Rayo Vallecano in Madrid in midweek, ending their already extremely feint hopes of avoiding the drop in La Liga.
The Asturians have at least shown an improved level of competitiveness in the last couple of months but they, frankly, onto their third manager of the campaign with off-field decisions not necessarily aiding them, just lack the quality for Spain's top-flight.
Espanyol team news: Couple of suspensions
Espanyol are dealing with a couple of suspension issues for the home team for this one with defender Charles Pickel sidelined alongside midfielder Edu Exposito.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Dmitrovic; El Hilali, Marc Rubio, Leandro Cabrera, Carlos Romero; Pere Milla, Pol Lozano, Urko Gonzalez, Dolan; Kike, Roberto Fernandez
Unavailable: Pickel (Suspended), Edu Exposito (Suspended), Javi Puado (Injured)
Questionable: Antoniu Roca (Injured)
Oviedo team news: A few doubts
Oviedo have a few key injury doubts for this one as centre-back duo David Costas and Eric Bailly are sidelined alongside former Wolverhampton Wanderers man Leander Dendoncker.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Aaron; Lucas Ahijado, Dani Calvo, Carmo, Javi Lopez; Hassan, Sibo, Colombatto, Ilyas Chaira; Alberto Reina, Fede Vinas
Unavailable:
Questionable: David Costas (Injured), Bailly (Injured), Dendoncker (Injured)
Espanyol vs Oviedo prediction
Espanyol should be able to ease to a victory against Oviedo in Barcelona. It may be one that lacks fluency and confidence, though, and given the fact that they have conceded two or more in seven of those last nine games, they may be keen to batten down the hatches first and foremost, too. As a result, Espanyol are firm favourites but a low-scoring clash wouldn't be a massive surprise.
Espanyol vs Oviedo tip: Espanyol to win & under 3.5 goals
