Espanyol vs Levante

15/12- The high flying Espanyol were held up for draws in their last two games, though one match was against Barcelona at home and the other against Zaragoza away (and both opponents are strong teams) but this means that they are losing out to the other top half teams who have won matches hence Espantol would like to get back to winning ways and cover full 3 points in this home tie against a struggling team like Levante. Currently lying in 5^th spot would make up a few spots if they are able to get the maximum points as most of the other top teams would be playing the following day except for Barcelona who have a tough tie with Valencia later on that day and the point difference between the teams lying at 3, 4 and 5 is just a point or two each.

 

Levante have lost all their away matches and have a 100% record for the wrong reasons, placed at the extreme bottom of the table they are in no form and are staring at the face of relegation and only a magical turn around of fortunes and form can see them out of the bottom three. With the home advantage with Espanyol not much would stop them from taking away all the points and with Tamudo and Luis Garcia in prime form they are already looking at a good victory margin.

 

Coach Giovanni De Biasi would be looking to provide the team with some inspiration to draw out at least a point of this match and if they can do that it would be a huge boost to the confidence of the club and the players and they might find the lost belief of sustaining in the top league once again. As they say that the battle is not lost till it ends hence Levante need to battle it out on the field in their attempt for survival.

 

Prediction: Espanyol win 2-0

Real Zaragoza vs Espanyol

9/12- Real Zaragoza were supposed to be one of the top performing clubs this season, something that was expected from them after their creditable sixth position last season but they have done very little to justify their potential. Their home form has been decent while away has been dreadful as they have been to get only 4 points of seven encounters away from home and this has dragged them to the 9^th position on the table. Espanyol on the other hand have been the team to watch out for this season, their amazing high flying run continues as they have gone 10 matches unbeaten and are one of the three teams along with leader Real Madrid and second placed Barca with only 2 losses this season.

 

While Zaragoza are coming off a mediocre performance and defeat aginst Recreativo Huelva, Espanyol managed a creditable draw against Barca at home and hence Espanyol can be considered better on form as well. The 5^th placed Espanyol by theory should have this one in the bag and would expect to get in the top 3 positions of the table as they do not seem far away, in fact they are just a point away. Zaragoza on the other hand know that defeat here could mean slipping to the lower half of the table as well and a virtual end to the hopes they built last year.

 

Zaragoza will also be without Pavon, Cuartero and Generelo and would once again be banking on Milito and Ayala to help them out. Milito has been good this season with 6 goals this season. On the other hand Espanyol will be again without their mid field expert Pena but that does not seem t bother the Catalans, at least in the past few games. This one should be quite interesting in the context of the situation both teams are in.

 

Prediction: 2-1, Espanyol win

  

Espanyol vs Osasuna

This is a tie of the clubs that are currently the most opposing trends in the league, while Espanyol is on a winning streak, Osasuna are finding it difficult to sustain their opposition and hence while Espanyol are jumping places upwards, Osasuna are slipping towards the bottom places. Espanyol have probably struck gold and with Tamudo delivering almost at will, the striker looks unstoppable. Along with him Luis Garcia, Zabaleta and Riera also look in good shape and will be looking to extend their unbeaten streak to nine after this away encounter at Reyno de Navarra.

 

If the current form is an asset for Espanyol it will be a curse for Osasuna, they have been struggling to get off the bottom half this season and received another setback last week being beaten by Recreativo Huelva. The area where they have been struggling is defense and have been often been beaten on that aspect. The home side will be expecting Eduardo Day and Punal to deliver in the front as well as Ricardo will be expected to perform his task as usual. Ricardo has been remarkable for the team but he alone cannot win matches. Osasuna will have the home advantage but will feel the pressure as well because a victory for Real Betis and Deportivo and a home loss put them just a spot above the bottom three.

 

Espanyol will be hoping to follow up their win over Athletic Bilbao with another victory and probably a jump in the position as well but Osasuna will be equally desperate to stay away from the relegation zone. If played as per the potential the match should be a thriller to the core with both teams looking out for an out right victory. Espanyol surely looks the stronger side but upsets are no new things in a football field and that is something the Osasuna fans will be hoping for.

 

Prediction: 2-1, Espanyol win

 

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