Espanyol-Sevilla Statistical Preview

Team News

Espanyol

• David Lopez will finally serve the suspension he picked up prior to last weekend.
• His absence will see Alex Fernandez come alongside Victor Sanchez as a midfield anchor.
• Diego Colotto could be chosen at centre-half though coach Javier Aguirre may opt for Sidnei again.

Sevilla

• Unai Emery is expected to make a few changes in personnel which will see him revert to a more familiar 4-2-3-1 formation.
• Stephane Mbia will finally serve his suspension earned in Round 11 and this will see Vicente Iborra replace him in midfield.
• Kevin Gameiro, who started against Celta Vigo last weekend, is likely to be sacrificed with Carlos Bacca tipped to get the lead striking role.
• German veteran Piotr Trochowski returned to action last weekend after an injury lay-off and he will again start on the bench.
• Fernando Navarro will be dropped for a second game running after the partnership of Carrico and Nicolas Pareja helped Emery’s team record a rare clean sheet.

Match Facts

• Sevilla have failed to win their last 22 away matches in La Liga.
• Espanyol have failed to score in their last 3 matches in La Liga.
• Espanyol have seen over 2.5 goals in their last 4 matches against Sevilla in all competitions.
• Sevilla are undefeated in their last 8 matches against Espanyol in all competitions.
• Sevilla have scored at least 2 goals in their last 4 matches against Espanyol in all competitions.
• There have been under 2.5 goals scored in Espanyol’s last 3 home games in La Liga.

Prediction

• Two sides who are much more capable than their respective league positions suggest, Espanyol and Sevilla have yet to find any consistency with their results and performances.
• Javier Aguirre’s side have proven a tough team to beat at home this season and they have picked up some great results at the Cornella-El Prat, most notably their 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid.
• Alternatively, Unai Emery’s men are still without a win on the road and despite the task ahead of them only three points will suffice for them in order to avoid dropping any closer to the relegation zone.

Espanyol 2 - 0 Sevilla