Sports Mole previews Sunday’s La Liga clash between Espanyol and Almeria, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Almeria will attempt to stave off relegation when they make the trip to the RCDE Stadium to face Espanyol on the final day of the season.
Meanwhile, Sunday’s contest will be the last La Liga game that Espanyol will play for at least one season after their relegation was confirmed last weekend.
Match preview
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Espanyol looked set to take their survival fight to the final day of the season when they came from behind to take a 2-1 lead against Valencia at Mestalla last weekend.
Goals from Cesar Montes and Martin Braithwaite gave Espanyol a slender advantage after Diego López had opened the scoring, but the Periquitos were unable to hold on, as Samuel Lin scored a stoppage-time equaliser to snatch a point for Los Che.
The 2-2 draw condemned Espanyol to the second tier, but rather than one game, multiple factors have contributed to their plight, including a vulnerable backline that has shipped 66 goals in 37 matches, leaving them with the joint-worst defensive record in La Liga.
They have also struggled on home turf this season, picking up just 18 points in as many games at the RCDE stadium – only Elche have collected fewer points at home in the top flight.
Espanyol have won their last two competitive home games against Almeria, and they will be hoping to claim another victory on Sunday as they look to end a disappointing campaign on a positive note.
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Sitting in 16th position and one point clear of the bottom three, Almeria are at risk of joining Espanyol in the second tier next season.
Rubi‘s side have spurned the chance to put distance between themselves and the drop zone in their last two games, after following a 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad with a goalless draw against Real Valladolid.
Sunday’s visitors know that they will be guaranteed survival if they collect a point, but if they lose at the RCDE Stadium, they will be relegated if Valladolid and Celta Vigo avoid defeat.
Almeria will be concerned by the fact that they hold their worst away record in the top flight this season, picking up just seven points from their 18 away matches.
Having failed to keep a clean sheet in an away league game this term, Almeria will have to produce a solid defensive display if they are to leave Catalonia with at least a point.
Spanish La Liga form:
Almeria La Liga form:
Team News
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Sergio Gomez will miss out for the hosts through injury, but Jose Gragera is expected to be available as he continues to manage an injury problem.
Garcia has confirmed that Leandro Cabrera will be unavailable, with the defender set to become a father for the first time.
Joselu is on the verge of winning the Zarra trophy – an award given to the Spanish player with the most goals in La Liga – and he will attempt to add to his 16-goal league tally on Sunday.
As for the visitors, they remain without the services of Leo Baptistao and Martin Sviderskywhile there are doubts over the availability of Bites and The.
Dyego Sousa is expected to retain his place in the forward line, with Luis Suarez set to miss a second game through suspension.
El Bilal Tour returned from a spell on the sidelines to feature as a late substitute against Valladolid, and he may have to settle for a place on the bench on Sunday due to his lack of match fitness.
Espanyol possible starting lineup:
Pacheco Gil, Pierre-Gabriel, Montes, Calero, Olivan; Puado, Darder, Suarez; Joselu, Melamed
Almeria possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Pozo, Ely, Babic, Centelles; Melero, Costa, Robertone; Lazaro, Embarba, Sousa
We say: Espanyol 1-1 Almeria
Almeria have won just one of their 18 away league games this season, and with Espanyol unbeaten in three matches, we think that the visitors will have to be content with a point.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data
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