Our prediction for this Primera Division match:
After suffering a 3-1 loss to Athletic Club, Levante will look to get back on course when they take on Espanyol on Matchday 28. Los Levantinos are stuck in the relegation zone, meaning that this has to go down as yet another must-win game for them. Alessio Lisci should opt to make changes to the starting XI, with all Bardhi, Cantero, and Malsa pushing for a start.
The bad news for the hosts is that important attacker Morales suffered a knee injury in Monday’s clash. Los Periquitos, on the other hand, aim to build on a 2-0 win over Getafe. The Catalans are safe for now, meaning that the hosts want this win more than the visiting team. Midfielder Manu Morlanes is out of contention with injury, but he should be the only absentee in the away team.
Highlighted Player (Coke):
Coke began his professional career at Rayo Vallecano, playing 180 games for the capital club between 2005 and 2011. The pacey full back joined Sevilla in June, 2011 and he made a right decision when he moved to the fellow La Liga side.
The Spanish footballer, who is capable of playing as both full back and a winger, won three UEFA Europa League trophies with los Sevillanos (2014, 2015, 2016) and he made it to the Spanish Cup final in the 2015/2016 season with the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan outfit. Sevilla, though, failed to make life difficult for Barcelona in the title game. After spending five years in Andalusia, Coke signed a three-year contract with Schalke on 31 July, 2016 for a fee of €5 million.
However, before the start of the 2016/2017 Bundesliga campaign he suffered a serious injury in a warm-up game against Bologna. Speaking of his international career, Coke has one cap for Spain U16, but he has yet to make his debut for the first team.
Highlighted Team (Espanyol):
Espanyol are a Catalan club that plays in Spanish La Liga. Espanyol were founded in 1900 and their original name was Sociedad Espanola de Football. In 1901 the Catalan club changed its name to Club Espanol de Futbol. Los Periquitos used to play in bright yellow shirts in the past, but current colour of the team’s home kit is blue and white.
Espanyol’s fiercest rivals are Barcelona and the two teams face each other in the Catalan derby (Derbi barceloni). Espanyol have always been in Barca’s shadow, but it has to be noted that los Periquitos have won four Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup trophies).
The likes of Raul Tamudo, Jose Maria, Antonio Argiles and Mauricio Pochettino are players with most appearances for the Catalan outfit. Espanyol play their home games at Estadio Cornella-El Prat and the capacity of the stadium is 40,500. Los Periquitos have never participated in the Champions League.