Bosnia And Herzegovina
Czech Republic
Hungary
Indonesia
South Korea
United Arab Emirates

Preview: Espanyol vs. Alaves - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 21 September 2021, 01:00
Alaves will continue their search for a first point of the season on Wednesday, when they make the trip to take on Espanyol.

The visitors now prop up the La Liga table after four straight defeats, while their newly-promoted hosts sit just two points better off, having also failed to win.

Match preview

After winning the second tier last season, Espanyol marked their return to the top flight with consecutive draws, holding Osasuna and Villarreal to goalless stalemates in their opening two games.

Vicente Moreno's men then suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat to fellow promoted side Mallorca, before coming close to taking a result from Atletico Madrid, as Raul de Tomas put them 1-0 up before Yannick Carrasco hit a 79th-minute equaliser and Thomas Lemar netted the winner in the 99th minute to snatch all three points for the La Liga champions.

The Blanquiazules bounced back from that disappointment last time out though, as they earned a commendable point against Real Betis, with Leandro Cabrera reducing a point with an equaliser in the 97th minute after Aleix Vidal had initially put them ahead.

With three points from a tough opening schedule, Moreno's side have reason to be positive, and they will now look to put their first victory on the board against a side who are yet to collect a point.

After only avoiding the drop by four points last season, Alaves will have headed into the new term with the hopes of a more comfortable finish, but they were handed a 4-1 thrashing by Real Madrid on the opening day to immediately go onto the back foot.

They were unable to bounce back against newly-promoted Mallorca, with Fer Nino firing the visitors to a 1-0 win, before they succumbed to their third defeat of the campaign when they were comfortably beaten 3-0 by Valencia in August.

Upon their return to league action following the recent international break, Javier Calleja's side suffered their fourth straight loss in the Spanish top flight, with first-half goals from David Garcia and Roberto Torres firing the visitors to a 2-0 victory.

Now one of just two sides who are yet to pick up a point, El Glorioso currently sit at the foot of the division, having conceded 10 goals from their four games while scoring just one at the other end of the pitch.

Calleja will be desperate for his team to quickly reverse their fortunes to climb away from the foot of the tables the league begins to take shape.

Espanyol La Liga form:

Alaves La Liga form:

Team News

After an impressive away point against Real Betis last time out, Espanyol are unlikely to make wholesale changes to the squad, with Javi Puado, Yangel Herrera and Oier Olazabal remaining on the sidelines through injuries.

Raul de Tomas will lead the line, after guiding them to promotion last season with 23 league goals last season, while former Barcelona winger Aleix Vidal also offers plenty of threat going forward.

Alaves' only absentees should be Pere Pons and Javi Lopez, with the pair continuing spells in the treatment room.

Joselu will continue to lead the line, after netting crucial tallies of 11 goals in each of the last two seasons, helping his side avoid relegation.

While Mamadou Sylla has tended to be deployed in the attacking line, John Guidetti will be keen to break back into the starting XI alongside Joselu.

Espanyol possible starting lineup:

Lopez; Gil, Gomez, Cabrera, Pedrosa; Morlanes, Darder, Melendo; Vidal, De Tomas, Embarba

Alaves possible starting lineup:

Sivera; Navarro, Miazga, Laguardia, Duarte; Martin, Pina, Roya, Mioja; Joselu, Guidetti

We say: Espanyol X-Y Alaves

Prediction justification text here

Show more

Top News

13 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Bradford City can maintain their third place standing in League Two with a victory on Saturday at Rodney Parade versus Newport County. 13 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Como president Mirwan Suwarso has confirmed the Italian club attempted to sign Marcus Rashford from Manchester United in the winter transfer window. 13 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly entered the race to sign Real Madrid-linked defender Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth. 12 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson will reportedly miss around six weeks of action due to a hamstring injury. 12 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Reece James is set to return to the lineup for Chelsea's Premier League away meeting with Brighton & Hove Albion on Friday. 12 February 2025 talksport.com Virgil van Dijk couldn't resist making a dig at Everton players and fans after Liverpool were denied Merseyside's bragging rights at the death. 12 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Celtic's return to the Champions League knockout rounds ended in a 2-1 first-leg defeat against Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich. 12 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Celtic's return to the Champions League knockout rounds ended in a 2-1 first-leg defeat against Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich. 12 February 2025 talksport.com The final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park ended crazily with Arne Slot, Curtis Jones and Abdoulaye Doucoure all getting sent off after the final whistle. 12 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool wing wizard Mohamed Salah both broke a Premier League record and extended one of his existing ones in the Reds' pulsating 2-2 Merseyside derby draw with Everton at Goodison Park. 12 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Everton and Liverpool played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park in the Premier League on Wednesday night, with James Tarkowski scoring a dramatic last-gasp equaliser. 12 February 2025 talksport.com Harry Kane has scored his first goal against a Scottish side, firing in for Bayern Munich in their Champions League knockout play-off first leg at Celtic. 12 February 2025 talksport.com Chelsea have been dealt another major injury blow with first choice striker Nicolas Jackson ruled out until April, talkSPORT understands. 12 February 2025 talksport.com West Ham's Jarrod Bowen has planted himself in the history books, and this time, it's in the Queen Vic rather than the London Stadium. 12 February 2025 talksport.com Mohamed Salah made Premier League history with his role in Liverpool's equaliser at Everton. 12 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Reece James and Nicolas Jackson could start Chelsea's Premier League away meeting with Brighton & Hove Albion on Friday. 12 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Brighton & Hove Albion captain Lewis Dunk is a major doubt for Friday's Premier League clash with Chelsea at the Amex Stadium. 12 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Boavista have announced that they have strengthened their squad with the addition of nine players. 12 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Six days after they locked horns in the FA Cup, Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea will recommence battle when they meet in Friday's Premier League clash at the Amex Stadium. 12 February 2025 talksport.com Everton and Liverpool will both be out for more than just bragging rights in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park tonight. 12 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United reportedly had scouts at Sporting Lisbon's league contest with Porto last week to watch Geovany Quenda following claims that the Red Devils have a deal in place to sign the youngster this summer. 12 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk RB Leipzig are reportedly open to letting Benjamin Sesko leave during this summer's transfer window, with Arsenal and Manchester United said to be among the clubs interested in his services. 12 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola reportedly views Bayer Leverkusen attacker Florian Wirtz as his 'dream replacement' for Kevin De Bruyne, but it will take an astronomical fee to secure his services. 12 February 2025 talksport.com Kai Havertz being ruled out for the rest of the season has created huge problems for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal. 12 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Al-Hilal head coach Jorge Jesus has confirmed that he wants Mohamed Salah at the club next season. 12 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly 'serious contenders' to sign Bayern Munich forward Leroy Sane this summer. 12 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers have reportedly identified Hertha Berlin youngster Ibrahim Maza as a potential summer transfer target. 12 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United could reportedly battle the likes of Real Madrid, Chelsea and Liverpool for the signature of RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba during this summer's transfer window. 12 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Fresh off yet another controversy, Turkish Super Lig's bottom side Adana Demirspor will host Antalyaspor at the New Adana Stadium on Friday to kick off round 24. 12 February 2025 talksport.com Cristiano Ronaldo's dream of scoring 1000 career goals has been given a big boost.
Something went wrong! Don't hesitate to let us know if you need any help.