Espanyol and Deportivo Alavés face at RCDE Stadium, in a match for the 32nd round of the First Division. Deportivo Alavés won at home by (2-1) the last time they met in this edition of the league, on 09-02-2018. In this stadium, the history of direct confrontations is favorable to the home team, which records 2 wins and 1 draw in the last 3 matches. However, the last time these two teams played a match in this stadium was on 01-04-2018, in a match for the First Division that ended in a draw by (0-0). In this match the home factor may be decisive, since both teams present considerable differences in the results obtained at home and as a visitor.
Espanyol:
The home team is currently in the 13 th position of the league, with 38 points won, after 10 wins, 8 draws and 13 losses. In the penultimate match, they tied in a home match against Getafe, by (1-1). In the last match, they won in an away match against Girona, by (1-2). This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 2 wins, 6 draws and 7 losses in away matches, with 15 goals scored and 24 conceded; against 7 wins, 3 draws and 5 losses at their stadium, with 21 goals scored and 22 conceded. For the championship, Espanyol won 11 points out of 30 possible, after 3 wins, 2 draws and 5 losses in the last 10 matches they played in their stadium. They have not been very strong defensively, since they have suffered goals in 9 of the last 10 matches, but their offense has scored frequently, since they have scored goals in 7 of the last 10 matches for this competition. In 31 matches in the competition, they suffered the first goal 13 times and only managed 1 comeback.
Espanyol comes into this game with a triumph, 1-2, in the move to rival Girona, thus adding the second consecutive game without losing in this Spanish championship: the goals of the team were scored by Darder and Bono (autogol) . We remember that the locals lost only 2 of the last 10 games played. On this day, against Alavés, we believe that coach Rubí will play in the usual 4-3-3, with Darder being the main responsible for organizing and creating the offensive process. On the other hand, striker Borja Iglesias is the best score of the team in the championship, with 12 goals scored. For this game the coach can not count on Javi Lopez, suspended, plus Ferreyra, Piatti and David Lopez, all injured.
Deportivo Alavés:
After 12 wins, 9 draws and 10 losses, the away team is currently in the 7 th position of the league, with 45 points won. In their last match, they tied with the CD Leganés at home (1-1), after in the previous match they lost out in a match against Sevilla, by (2-0). This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 5 wins, 2 draws and 8 losses in away matches; against 6 wins, 7 draws and 2 losses at their stadium. In the last 10 away matches for the championship, Deportivo Alavés has 3 wins, 2 draws and 5 losses, so they have won 11 points out of 30 possible. In their away league matches the most frequent result at half-time was the 1-0 (6 out of 15 matches). The team allowed goals to the opponent in 8 of the last 10 matches for this competition, so it was not very strong defensively. In 31 matches in this tournament, they suffered the first goal 15 times and only managed 4 comebacks. In the last 16 home matches for this competition there are 2 periods that stand out: they scored 6 of their 17 goals between minutes (76′-90 ‘); He suffered 9 of his 25 goals between the minutes (76’-90 ‘).
The Deportivo Alavés comes to this game with a draw, 1-1, in the reception at Leganés, totaling in this way the third consecutive game without beating in this competition: the only goal of the team was scored by Jonathan Calleri. By playing in a complicated stadium, coach Abelardo must opt for a more cautious strategy, exploring only the space in the back of the opponent. The Argentine Jonathan Calleri is still the great highlight of the visitors, with 7 goals and 2 assists. For this day the coach can not count on Tomás Pina and Martin Aguirregabiria, both suspended, in addition to Burgui and Maripán, these with physical problems.
