Sevilla vs Espanyol

Mid-table Sevilla and relegation-battling Espanyol are set to trade tackles in a midweek La Liga showdown at the Estadio Ramon Sánchez Pizjuan.

Following an eye-catching seven-game unbeaten run in all competitions (W5, D2) to start his managerial tenure at Sevilla, Jose Luis Mendilibar’s unbeaten record came to a halt last weekend as Girona stunned ‘Los Rojiblancos’ 2-0 in Andalusia. Despite being knocked down from a three-match winning streak in La Liga, the hosts have seemingly done enough to avoid what would’ve been a shocking relegation as they enter this round ten points clear of the drop zone. Amends for the abovementioned loss could prove a powerful incentive for Sevilla, who will be looking to make it ten consecutive top-flight meetings with Espanyol without losing (W6, D3). Yet any failed attempt to achieve that feat would see the Andalusian powerhouse lose 8+ home games in a single La Liga season for the first time since 1999/2000.

Meanwhile, Espanyol’s hard-fought 1-0 home victory over Getafe last weekend handed their faint hopes of securing La Liga survival a lifeline, moving them within a three-point distance of safety at the start of this round. Having lost seven of their previous eight league matches (D1), ‘Los Periquitios’ cannot take anything for granted, especially considering they’ve lost their last five top-flight games on the road despite scoring on each occasion. Arresting that underwhelming run will require Espanyol to beat tradition, as they’ve pulled off just two wins in 20 La Liga clashes against Sevilla in the 21st century (D5, L13). But since they’re winless in their last 13 visits to Andalusian clubs in La Liga (D6, L7), this promises to be another disappointing midweek for Luis Garcia’s team.