Espanyol are aiming to snap out of a recent slump when they host Alaves in a Friday night Spanish La Liga fixture.
The Catalans will be counting on their solid home record in this fixture, while the visitors have been poor on their travels this season.
Espanyol come into this clash in the middle of a rough patch, having failed to win their last four matches. They suffered a 3-2 defeat at Valencia in their previous fixture, with Ramon Terrats on target for them.
The good news for Espanyol is that they remain fifth in the table, but will need to fend off Real Betis and Celta Vigo just below them. Manolo Gonzalez's men have also been a little erratic at home, with three wins and as many defeats in their last six matches at RCDE Stadium.
Meanwhile, Alaves were victorious last time out in La Liga, earning a 2-1 home win over Real Betis, with Carlos Vicente and Toni Martinez getting their goals. That was a vital result for Eduardo Coudet's team, who have now moved two points clear of the relegation zone.
A closer look at Alaves’ recent form reveals that it was only their second win in the last six matches. Things are much worse on the road, having lost their last seven La Liga away matches.
How the bookies view it: Espanyol still favourites
Despite their recent slump, Espanyol are still considered favourites among the bookies, with Ladbrokes offering Evens for a home win. A victory for Alaves is valued at 7/2 by bet365, while a draw is set at odds of 21/10 by Betfred.
Head to head: Espanyol on top
Espanyol have a 9-4 advantage, with four draws in the last 17 matches against Alaves. The visitors claimed a 2-1 home victory in the reverse fixture in November, while the hosts are unbeaten in the last seven meetings at RCDE Stadium, winning six times on this run.
Players to watch: Eyes on Milla
Pere Milla often features in attack for Espanyol and is their leading scorer with six La Liga goals this season. The forward will be the one to watch on Friday (Pere Milla anytime goalscorer – priced at 12/5 by bet365).
Alaves have also shown some attacking quality lately and will look to Vicente to provide the spark going forward. The attacker scored his fifth goal of the season last time out and could be worth keeping an eye on (Carlos Vicente anytime goalscorer – valued at 4/1 on bet365).
Probable line-ups:
Javi Puado is the only major absentee for Espanyol, with the forward sidelined with injury. Milla should partner Kike Garcia in attack, and Fernando Calero is set to continue at the back.
Denis Suarez is sidelined with injury for Alaves, while Facundo Garces remains suspended. The visitors are likely to stick with much of the team that beat Real Betis last time out, with Martinez leading the line while Jon Pacheco is set to feature at the back.
Espanyol: Dmitrovic, Sanchez, Calero, Cabrera, Romero, Jofre, Gonzalez, Lozano, Terrats, Garcia, Milla.
Alaves: Sivera, Tenaglia, Protesoni, Pacheco, Jonny Otto, Vicente, Blanco, Ibanez, Alena, Boye, Martinez.
Anything else catch the eye?
Both teams have scored in three of their last four meetings (BTTS YES – set at odds of 6/5 on Paddy Power). Those three fixtures have also produced over 2.5 goals – offered at 13/8 by bet365.
Espanyol have scored over 1.5 goals in three of their last four home matches against Alaves (Espanyol over 1.5 goals – available at 6/4 on Paddy Power).
Think both sides will find the net? Our BTTS Masterclass explains how to spot the fixtures where goals are a given.
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