Espanyol currently sit six points adrift of Athletic Bilbao, who currently hold the final Europa League berth, meaning that los Periquitos will be out of the race if they fail to win this game. Los Leones arrive to Montjuic looking for points needed to remain in the race for the Champions League places, although the visitors probably wouldn’t be too disappointed with one point from this clash.

Espanyol slowing down

Espanyol have started the season in excellent manner and they spent a big part of the season just outside the Champions League places, but the pressure of expectations has started to get to the players, as witnessed by their dismal run of results which lasts since the beginning of February. Los Periquitos suffered a major dip in form that saw them lose nine out of last thirteen league games, so it is little wonder that they are slowly slipping down the La Liga standings. The players are really low on spirits at the moment, while the uncertainty surrounding the future of coach Maurcio Pochettino is certainly not helping. The hosts are under big pressure to show some improvement and return to the race for European places, but it looks highly unlikely that they will manage to turn things around when facing one of La Liga’s in-form sides. The fact that los Periquitos are still without several important players only adds to the worries.

Midfielder Aldo Duscher is a major doubt with a groin injury, but Ivan Alonso and Verdu return to the side. Baena, Forlin, De la Pena, Mattioni and Garcia remain long-term casualties.

The Basques continue to impress

The club’s policy of signing only players of Basque origin has been one of the main reasons for team’s inability to establish themselves as a genuine top table side in recent years, but that looks likely to change after this season. Despite the limited resources at his disposal, coach Joaquin Caparros has managed to build a great team at San Mames and transform los Leones from the side fighting for survival to the team battling for European places. While keeping the rich vein of form at their Cathedral, Athletic have shown a massive improvement on the travels and that is one of the main reason why they are on the road to secure European qualification. Having beaten Almeria and Osasuna in their last two away games, Athletic definitely stand a good chance of beating out-of-form Espanyol, especially seeing that they enter this game in much better spirits than their rivals for the top 6 place.

Andoni Iraola and Fernando Llorente should start after shaking off minor knocks, but Mikel San Jose and Carlos Gurpegui are suspended.

Verdict

Having largely struggled of late and being completely out of confidence, Espanyol are unlikely to return to winning ways against in-form Athletic side, although I still expect to see a tight game. The visitors are in much better state than their opponents and they have a good chance of making it three wins in a row on the travels.

Our prediction: Athletic Bilbao with 0:0 Asian handicap

Odds: 1.90 (9/10)

Bookmaker: 188BET