Espanyol vs Villareal

5/1- The second match of the new year and a certain cracker of a match, with Barcelona struggling in the weeks before the break, the fight for the second position has heated up with Espanyol and Villareal joining in. As the second placed Barca play the first match of the second half of the season Villareal go to Take on Espanyol in an away tie. Both the teams are separated by a point and a position. While Espanyol lie in the third spot, Villareal are placed fourth. The home team had been terrific before the close of the season for the break and won 2 back to back matches, in the last match played the defeated a strong Athletico Madrid in an away tie. Villareal were however producing mixed bag performances and the last match they played against Recreativo Huelva was a tame draw.

 

The history between the clubs suggests that nearly 50% of the matches played have been draws while playing at Espanyol, Villareal hold a stronger record but just marginally. Villareal would be taking the field without two defenders, while Rodriguez remains absent due to injury, Fuentes is out due to suspension. The performances can be expected from Nihat and Rossi, the two most prolific strikers for the club this season. They would not be looking at a loss at all as it could possibly trigger a 4 point gap and put them virtually out of contention for the second spot as for now.

 

Espanyol have been the team to watch out for all this season and have looked dominant in most of the games they have played. With their entire squad intact and the striking power of Tamudo and Garcia, they would be a force to reckon with, more so with the crowd backing them up. The home team would be looking at a good home win and probably a jump to the second position if Barca ness it up.

 

Prediction: 2-0, Espanyol win