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

The visitors are currently 17th in the table, boasting just one point from their first four league matches, while Espanyol occupy 15th, having picked up four points from as many games this term.

Match preview

Espanyol finished 14th in La Liga last term on their return to the top flight, and they will be determined not to become involved in a scrap at the bottom of the table this term.

The Catalan outfit only picked up one point from their opening three games of the campaign, drawing at Celta Vigo on the opening weekend before losing back-to-back home games to Rayo Vallecano and Real Madrid.

Diego Martinez's side will enter this match off the back of a morale-boosting result, though, having beat Athletic Bilbao 1-0 last time out courtesy of a late goal from debutant Martin Braithwaite.

Espanyol will believe that they have more than enough quality to avoid being involved in a relegation battle, but their away form will need to improve, having only won once on their travels in the league last term, picking up just nine points in the process.

The White and Blues only lost four times in front of their own supporters in 2021-22, and the points were shared in a 1-1 draw when Sevilla made the trip back in February.

Sevilla are unbeaten against Espanyol in La Liga since the start of 2017, but there is no getting away from the fact that it has been a hugely testing start to the season for the club.

The club's board are believed to have met on Wednesday to discuss the future of head coach Julen Lopetegui, and there have been reports that he could be sacked if Los Nervionenses lose this weekend.

Sevilla finished fourth in La Liga last season, just three points behind second-place Barcelona, but they are currently down in 17th spot in the table, losing 2-1 to Osasuna, 2-1 to Almeria and 3-0 to Barcelona in three of their four league matches this term.

The team's only point came at home to Real Valladolid on August 19, while they will enter this match off the back of a 4-0 home defeat to Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Sevilla have three more games ahead of the international break, facing Espanyol and Villarreal in the league, and Copenhagen in the Champions League, and it might well be win or bust for Lopetegui on Saturday.

Espanyol La Liga form:

Sevilla La Liga form:

Sevilla form (all competitions):

Team News

Raul de Tomas, who scored 17 La Liga goals last term, has not been involved for Espanyol this season amid the speculation surrounding his future, and it remains to be seen whether he is named in the squad for this game.

Fernando Calero, Keidi Bare, Adria Pedrosa and Pol Lozano will be missing through injury, meanwhile, so the home side will not be at full strength for the contest.

Omar El Hilali, 18, could replace Calero in the middle of the defence, while Nico Melamed is also pushing for a start, but Braithwaite, Joselu and Javi Puado should continue as the front three.

As for Sevilla, Jesus Manuel Corona remains out with a knee injury, while Marcao remains on the sidelines due to a hamstring problem.

Lopetegui is expected to make changes from the side that started against Man City, with Joan Jordan, Rafa Mir, Suso, Karim Rekik and Fernando among those likely to feature in the XI.

There could also be a spot at centre-forward for Kasper Dolberg, with the under-pressure manager looking to pick up the victory which could save his job and act as a springboard.

Espanyol possible starting lineup:

Fernandez; Gil, El Hilali, Cabrera, Olivan; Darder, Melamed, Souza; Braithwaite, Joselu, Puado

Sevilla possible starting lineup:

Bono; Navas, Rekik, Nianzou, Acuna; Jordan, Fernando, Delaney; Suso, Dolberg, Mir

We say: Espanyol 1-1 Sevilla

Espanyol will be feeling good about themselves following their win at Athletic, but the same cannot be said for Sevilla, who are struggling at the moment. Teams often find results when they need it most, though, and while we are not backing an away victory, we believe that Sevilla have enough to claim a welcome point.

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