Racing Santander vs Espanyol Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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Racing Santander have been thrilling to watch upon their return to La Liga as they now welcome an inconsistent Espanyol side to El Sardinero in Cantabria.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / 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 – Cannot be streamed / USA – ESPN+
Racing Santander preview: Entertaining Racing
In their nine matches in La Liga so far this season, there has been a total of 38 goals with only the top four having scored more than them but no team even close to the 25 goals that Racing Santander have conceded thus far.
They head into this one on the back of their poorest performance of the season as they faced the ‘new manager bounce’ of Jago Arrasate’s return to Osasuna last week and succumbed to a comfortable 2-0 defeat at El Sadar.
Espanyol preview: Pressure on
In the second half of last season, Espanyol collapsed from genuine European contention and into a relegation battle but the club have stuck by Manolo Gonzalez, albeit the pressure is surely growing once again.
The Catalans were beaten 1-0 at home by Atletico Madrid last week due to an Alex Baena winner, meaning that the visitors have collected one point from their last four matches in La Liga.
Racing Santander team news: Nothing fresh
There are no fresh injury concerns for Racing Santander as Pablo Ramon has returned to full fitness and back-up goalkeeper Simon Eriksson remains a doubt for this one.
Predicted XI (X-X-X-X): Julen Agirrezabala; Alvaro Mantilla, Pablo Ramon, Belocian, Jorge Salinas; Ivan Martin, Prati; Sergio Canales, Almeida, Inigo Vicente; Zabiri
Unavailable:
Questionable: Eriksson (Injured)
Espanyol team news: Jofre Carreras still a doubt
Jofre Carreras is still a doubt due to a groin injury sustained last week with Kike Garcia remaining sidelined but Javi Puado has finally returned from his ACL injury.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Dmitrovic; Drkusic, Riedel, Leandro Cabrera; El Hilali, Edu Exposito, Pol Lozano, Roger Hinojo; Dolan, Roberto Fernandez, Bryan Zaragoza
Unavailable: Kike (Injured)
Questionable: Jofre Carreras (Injured)
Racing Santander vs Espanyol prediction
Following promotion to the top-flight, Racing have been enjoyable to watch but their lacklustre defensive organisation has undermined them fairly considerably. This is a game, though, against an Espanyol side that lack much identity despite quality in the final third, such as Tyrhys Dolan, Roberto Fernandez and Bryan Zaragoza. So, siding with the hosts may well be a good bet but it may also be a fun watch for the neutral, once again, in Northern Spain.
Racing Santander vs Espanyol tip: Racing Santander to win & both teams to score
