Espanyol vs Sevilla Match Preview & Prediction

Espanyol vs Sevilla predictions, H2H and match preview for this Sunday’s game in La Liga. Read on for analysis and predicted line-ups as Julen Lopetegui begins life as Sevilla boss.

Espanyol vs Sevilla Preview

This Sunday’s clash features two teams who are both surrounded by a great deal of uncertainty heading into the new campaign. Espanyol were dealt a huge blow this week as star striker Borja Iglesias agreed to move to Real Betis leaving them with a big hole to fill in attack and just a couple of weeks to try and find a replacement on anything like that level. Sevilla meanwhile have already been incredibly active in the transfer market but there are doubts as to whether they’ve been too ambitious with a radical squad overhaul that could see them hand starts to as many as seven new signings here.

Therefore it’s tough to know exactly what to expect from them in this game. Clearly with so much change, things may not click into place immediately but there have been some encouraging signs in pre-season. They’ve had a turbulent few years with several coaches coming and going and the hope will be that with Monchi back as Sporting Director and Julen Lopetegui in as Coach they now have some solid foundations from which to build. This game will offer up the first real indicator of how strong their initial recruitment has been.

Espanyol have already played four competitive matches this season and despite the uncertainty surrounding some of their key men, they’ve impressed with easy progress secured in two Europa League qualifiers. That may give them a slight edge in terms of fitness and confidence although the concern will be that fatigue could set in midway through the season, something Sevilla appeared to suffer from last term after their early start in Europe.

Check out our 2019/20 season previews for both teams – Espanyol | Sevilla

Espanyol vs Sevilla Predictions

Score Prediction: 2-1 Espanyol

This could be a tough afternoon for Sevilla. While their recruitment may prove to be good in the long run, it will take Julen Lopetegui time to mould this much changed team into his style of play and indeed figure out his strongest eleven. Espanyol should be the fitter team, which could be key on a hot Barcelona day in August and while the loss of Iglesias is clearly significant, both Wu Lei and Facundo Ferreyra have been on the mark in pre-season and could provide the firepower needed to seal an opening day win.

Espanyol vs Sevilla H2H

• Last 6 meetings: 4 Sevilla Wins, 1 Espanyol Win, 1 Draw.
• Sevilla have won the last 3 meetings between the clubs.
• The clubs meet on the opening weekend for the 3rd time in 4 years – Sevilla beat Espanyol 6-4 in an opening day thriller in 2016.
• The last 6 meetings at the RCDE Stadium have produced 3 wins each.

Check out all our opening weekend La Liga match predictions.

Predicted Line Ups

Espanyol Team:

Diego Lopez – Javi Lopez, Naldo, Lluis Lopez, Pedrosa – Melendo, Darder, Roca, Vargas – Wu, Ferreyra (4-4-2)

Sevilla Team:

Vaclik – Escudero, Carlos, Kounde, Navas – Fernando, Torres, Jordan – Ocampos, de Jong, Munir (4-3-3)

Preview via Mark Sochon – Contact: marksochon@hotmail.co.uk | @marksoc1