Eibar vs Espanyol 22/01/19

22 January 2019

Eibar and Espanyol will face-off at the Estadio Municipal de Ipurua, with both teams desperately trying to overcome a difficult time.

Winless in their last seven competitive outings (D5, L2), the Azulgranas have dropped down the table, as they currently sit just three points clear of the danger zone. Before suffering a 3-0 road loss to Barcelona, the Gunsmiths have played out four consecutive draws in La Liga, with two of them ending with the identical 1-1 scoreline. Although unbeaten in their last seven home games in all competitions (W2, D5), Jose Luis Mendilibar’s players come into this meeting trying to secure the first triumph after being held to four consecutive stalemates. The Gunsmiths have failed to hit the target in only one of their 11 home outings in all competitions this season, scoring over 1.5 goals per match five times in the process. But, a potential problem for Mendilibar could be that his players struggled to keep a clean sheet in eight home races this season, allowing over 1.5 goals per match four times so far.

Meanwhile, the visitors have won just one of their last eight La Liga clashes, suffering seven defeats in the process. What’s more, the Periquitos have conceded over 1.5 goals per match while scoring one goal or less seven times in that period. Winless in their last seven road meetings in all competitions (D2, L5), the Blanquiazules remain one of the worst road teams in the Spanish top tier (W1, D3, L6). Also, Espanyol have allowed over 1.5 goals per match in five of their last six road trips in domestic competitions, scoring one goal or less four times in the process. Their inability to keep a clean sheet away from home has seen Rubi’s men conceding at least one goal in nine of their ten LL road clashes this term.

Provisional line-up – Eibar:

Gk: Asier Riesgo Defense: Cucurella – Pedro Bigas – Arbilla – Cote Midfield: Ruben Pena – Joan Jordan – Escalante – Papakouli Diop – Orellana Attack: Sergi Enrich

Provisional line-up – Espanyol:

Gk: Diego Lopez Defense: Didac Vila – Naldo – David Lopez – Rosales Midfield: Sergi Darder – Granero – Marc Roca – Melendo Attack: Leo Baptistao – Iglesias Quintas