Oviedo vs Espanyol Preview: Team News & Prediction
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The October international break ends in Spain this week with an intriguing clash in Asturias as newly-promoted Real Oviedo take on an impressive Espanyol side.
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 Sevilla vs Barcelona may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / Disney+ / US – ESPN+
Oviedo preview: Bizarre decision
Following promotion to the top-flight last season at long last, Real Oviedo had started the campaign reasonably well given a very tough fixture list but they have taken the decision to part company with manager Veljko Paunovic.
The former Reading boss has been replaced by former Tenerife manager Luis Carrion. The Asturians most recently suffered a 2-0 loss to fellow newly-promoted outfit Levante at Estadio Carlos Tartiere a couple of weeks ago.
Espanyol preview: Entertaining Espanyol
Under the management of former B team coach Manolo Gonzalez, Espanyol come into this one on the back of a strong-ish start to the campaign but the Catalans have now endured a four-match winless run of form ahead of this one.
The Barcelona-based outfit enjoyed a takeover by Burnley owner Alan Pace in the summer and ambitions are now high. They most recently suffered a 2-1 loss at home to Real Betis in a game in which they took the lead a fortnight ago.
Oviedo team news: Nothing fresh
There are no fresh injury issues for Oviedo to deal with for this one as Alvaro Lemos remains sidelined for the hosts, whilst Nacho Vidal is working his way back from a hamstring injury.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Aaron; Lucas Ahijado, Bailly, Carmo, Alhassane; Alberto Reina, Dendoncker, Colombatto; Hassan, Salomon Rondon, Brekalo
Unavailable: Alvaro Lemos (Injured)
Questionable: Nacho Vidal (Injured)
Espanyol team news: Couple of doubts
Ahead of their trip to Oviedo, Espanyol are dealing with a couple of injury doubts for this weekend as defender Charles Pickel is potentially sidelined alongside key attacker Javi Puado.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Dmitrovic; El Hilali, Fernando Calero, Leandro Cabrera, Carlos Romero; Pol Lozano, Edu Exposito; Dolan, Koleosho, Pere Milla; Roberto Fernandez
Unavailable:
Questionable: Pickel (Injured), Javi Puado (Injured)
Oviedo vs Espanyol prediction
It will be intriguing to see the style of play shift for Oviedo as Puanovic’s reactive and defensive style becomes more on the front foot and attacking with Luis Carrion, who did a very poor job in charge of Las Palmas at the start of last season. They face an Espanyol side that have certainly been more proactive in the last ten months or so and both sides will see this as a major opportunity to get three points and so it should be quite a fun watch in Asturias.
Oviedo vs Espanyol tip: Both teams to score
