Football Results

Espanyol is having bigger problems this season, because they cannot seem to get away from the bottom of the table and are now in a series of four matches without defeat, despite the expected elimination from the Cup, where they played against Barcelona. Villarreal is much better placed in the championship and they are holding the European position, but they lost the previous two championship matches, as well as the first duel of the 16th finals in Europa League and are therefore dangerously close to the elimination from this competition. The first duel of these rivals surprisingly ended without goals.

Espanyol

Espanyol is closer to the relegation zone, although there is still no reason to panic. They are four rounds without a win, but we also have to say that they have had a pretty tough schedule. After two defeats they made two draws, so one can say that they are still slowly repairing the form. They first played a draw against Barcelona, ​​and that was always equal to a win, despite the fact that they played at home. In the last round they played a draw away with Chelsea and this is also a good achievement, especially since the goal for the final with 2-2 was scored only three minutes before the end.

That is why they had a lead against Barcelona before the end of the match, and in both competitions the shooter was G.Moreno, who was obviously in excellent shape. Coach Flores did not change the team too much in the previous two duels and Granero was left absent in Vigo, so he was replaced by C.Sanchez, who recently arrived from Fiorentina. They played well in the previous two games, so now we do not expect any changes because there are no problems with suspensions and injuries.

Probable lineups Espanyol: Di.Lopez – Navarro, Da.Lopez, Naldo, Martin – Jurado, C.Sanchez, V.Sanchez, Darder – Baptistao, G.Moreno

Villarreal

The team of Villarreal is for a long time in fifth or sixth place on the table and judging by that, it could be said that they did not oscillate, but this team has its ups and downs so after three defeats they had a series of six games in which they have not lost and even won five times, including Real Madrid and Valencia away. Now they are again in decline and they lost to Betis away and from Alaves on their field, which is a special surprise.

Everything was accompanied by a defeat in the first duel of the 16th finals in Europa League in Lyon with 3-1, so it is clear that they will have a very difficult task in the rematch. They have sold their best player Bakambu in China, and this has greatly weakened them, and coach Calleja has sent nearly identical team to the field in duels against Alaves and Lyon. Rodri has returned to the team, who could not play in the championship because of the suspension, and Cheryshev jumped instead. Now, there may be several changes in the composition due to exhaustion.

Probable lineups Villarreal: Asenjo – Mario, Bonera, V.Ruiz, J.Costa – J.Fuego, Rodri – Raba, Fornals, R.Soriano – Bacca

Verdict:

Espanyol and Villarreal are not in a particularly good form, but it is clear that the guest players are more tired and that could be a big problem. They are thinking more about the rematch in Lyon, which Espanyol should use to win.

Pick:  Asian Handicap -0.75 Espanyol 2.91 - 191/100 @1XBet