Espanyol vs Sevilla 17/03/19

17 March 2019

Devastated by a shock Europa League elimination to the Czech Republic outfit Slavia Prague, Sevilla tackle an improving Espanyol team at the RCDE Stadium.

The hosts have endured a difficult period that has seen them lose nine of ten La Liga outings (W1, L9) as they come into this meeting after racking up a five-game LL unbeaten run (W2, D3). The Periquitos currently sit midway point between the Europa League promotion zone and the relegation territory, and with a six-point deficit to sixth-placed Sevilla, they can still book their place in Europe. Far more comfortable at home, the Blanquiazules have secured eight wins in 13 LL home outings (W8, D1, L4), which is 88.89% of the victories they’ve pulled off this entire campaign. Five of those triumphs have come without much fanfare, with Rubi’s men beating their rivals by a minimal one-goal margin. Five of Espanyol’s last six home clashes across all competitions have produced over 2.5 goals, while all of them saw goals on both ends.

Meanwhile, the visitors seem to be going through the worst spell this season having lost six of their last 11 competitive meetings (W3, D2, L6). The Andalusians have brought a disappointing five-game LL winless run to an end (D1, L4) with a stunning 5-2 home triumph over Real Sociedad as they currently sit five points adrift of fourth-placed Getafe. However, the newly-appointed manager Joaquín Caparrós has to figure out how to solve his team’s disastrous displays away from home that have seen Los Hispalenses lost five straight LL road encounters, in which they’ve scored barely one goal while conceding ten in the process. Another potential worry for Caparrós could be the fact Los Nervionenses have lost three of four of their previous H2H meetings with Espanyol at this venue (W1, L3).