Espanyol will continue their campaign against Alaves on Friday night as they aim to end a four-game winless run in Spain’s top flight.

Home team ranks 5th la liga standingsare two points ahead of seventh-placed Celta Vigo, while the away team sit in 15th place, outside the relegation zone.

match preview

Espanyol had a great season, finishing 5th in the division with 34 points after 10 wins, 4 draws and 7 losses from 21 games.

The Catalan side are chasing an impressive and indeed unexpected European finish, but recent struggles have left them without a title in 2026 and they currently sit two points behind seventh-placed Celta Vigo.

In fact, Manolo González’s side have only picked up one point from their last four league games, losing to Barcelona, ​​Girona and Valencia, and drawing with Levante.

Espanyol have six wins, one draw and four losses in 11 home league games this season and will take on Alaves, who have the worst away record in the division with just four points from 10 games.

The Catalan side have won four of their last six league games against Alaves, but beat the Basque side 2-1 when the two sides met earlier this season.

© Imago / ZUMA press wire

Alaves’ struggles on the road this season are evidenced by the fact that they have scored just four goals in 10 away league games, and have only won one game in the process.

The Blue and Whites sit 15th in La Liga ahead of their next game, just one point above the relegation zone with 22 points, but have managed to win two of their last three games in all competitions.

In fact, Alaves defeated Rayo Vallecano 2-0 in the Copa del Rey on January 14, and beat Real Betis 2-1 in their last league match.

Eduardo Coude’s team finished 15th in La Liga last season, just two points off the relegation zone, and are likely to be involved in a relegation battle again this season.

The Blue and Whites lost 3-2 to Espanyol on their last visit to the RCDE Stadium in September 2024, but have not beaten the Catalan side on the road since March 2002.

Espanyol La Liga form:

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Alaves La Liga form:

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Alaves form (all matches):

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team news

© Imago

Espanyol will once again be without Javi Puad due to a serious knee injury, but Omar El Hilali will return to the squad after missing the game against Valencia due to suspension.

El Hilari will return to the team as a right-back, while Quique García will be an option in the final third of the field, but despite the disappointing result last time, Gonzalez will not panic.

Pere Mila has scored six goals this season and should maintain his place in the final third, while Roberto Fernandes is also expected to start.

As for Alaves, Facundo Garcés has been suspended for a long time and has been unable to play, while Nicolas Maras is also sidelined with a knee injury.

Denis Suarez is the only other player suspected of injury for the visiting team ahead of Friday’s match, with the former Barcelona attacker struggling to overcome a muscular problem.

Toni Martínez was outstanding in his side’s impressive win against Real Betis last time out, and the 28-year-old is eyeing a new position in the final third of the field.

However, 26-year-old Carlos Vicente has completed a move to English Championship side Birmingham City and no further move is planned.

Espanyol’s projected starting lineup:

Dmitrovich. El Hilari, Calero, Cabrera, Romero. Joffre, Gonzalez, Lozano, Terraz. Mira Fernandez

Alavés’ expected starting lineup:

Sibera; Tenaria, Protezoni, Pacheco, Otto. Gridy, Blanco, Ibanez, Aleña. Boi, Martinez

Espanyol 2-1 Alaves

Espanyol’s recent form has been disappointing, but Alavés have been too poor on the road this season, so expect the Catalan team to bounce back on Friday night.

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