Espanyol will be hoping to make amends for back to back defeats to Athletic and Real Sociedad when they host holders Atletico Madrid at Cornella El Prat.

Los Colchoneros are effectively out of the title chase after the 1-1 draw with Valencia, but they need to quickly rediscover their form in order to secure Champions League qualification.

While Espanyol are an established La Liga side, I am not sure their fans appreciate the fact that each season looks a lot like the previous one.

Given the poor financial situation, the Periquitos are doing well to escape the difficult relegation tussle, but they need to show some ambition and mount a challenge for European positions in the near future.

Espanyol missed a perfect opportunity to enjoy some much needed success as they were eliminated in the Copa del Rey semi-final despite playing out a 1-1 draw with Athletic on the road.

And with los Periquitos also losing to Real Sociedad four days later, they will clearly be under pressure when Atletico arrive in Catalunya.

The good news is that Juan Fuentes should return from a calf problem, while Jose Canas is back from a one-match suspension.

Espanyol did well to win three of last four La Liga matches at home, losing only to fourth-placed Valencia over a month ago.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Casilla – Arbilla, A. Gonzalez, Moreno, Duarte – Vazquez, Abraham, Canas, V. Sanchez – Garcia, Caicedo.

Having played so many games this season without making major changes to the starting line-up, it is hardly surprising Atletico appear to be running on empty at the moment.

Los Colchoneros have suffered a serious dip in form over the past couple of months, and the magnificent 4-0 triumph over Real Madrid remains the only win in high-profile matches for some two months.

Atletico are in a difficult position after the 1-0 loss to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League last 16 stage, while they have suffered slip-ups in the league as well.

Back to back draws with Sevilla and Valencia left them just one point above los Che and five in front of los Rojiblancos, meaning the Champions League qualification could be in danger unless their form improves.

Having said that, Atletico will see the away game against out-of-sorts Espanyol as a perfect opportunity to kick-start their league campaign, so bear in mind away win pays 2.15 (23/20).

Diego Simeone has welcomed back Cristian Ansaldi and Arda Turan, but Saul Niguez remains unavailable while Mario Mandzukic and Guilherme Siqueira are banned.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Moya – Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Gamez – Turan, Gabi, Tiago, Koke – Torres, Griezmann.