La Liga General Preview: Espanyol, Osasuna Hope To Keep Winning Momentum Going

17:00 CET – Mallorca vs Real Valladolid The Balearic Islanders have made one of their best starts to a season, winning both their home games so far. They have also secured a draw at Villarreal but went down admirably at Sevilla in midweek.

They are currently fifth in the table with seven points, and if they can maintain their 100 per cent home record and bag another three points, they could move into joint-third place with Sevilla and/or Athletic Bilbao, as the two sides collide at the San Mames 24 hours earlier.

Valladolid have not changed much from last term and they remain inconsistent as ever. Unlike Mallorca, they have lost both their home matches but have picked up an amazing four points on the road, drawing at Almeria on opening day and winning 2-1 at Real Zaragoza last weekend.

Jose Luis Mendilibar will be without regular centre-backs, Luis Prieto and Cesar Arzo for this clash after both were sent off on Wednesday against Osasuna.

Prediction: Mallorca 3-1 Real Valladolid

17:00 CET – Almeria vs Racing Santander Hugo Sanchez’s modest Almeria fought gallantly to earn a 2-2 draw at out-of-sorts Atletico Madrid in midweek. It was their most thrilling result so far this campaign after a first three rounds in which they only managed to score one goal.

Pablo Piatti was the hero at the Vicente Calderon, scoring both goals – the second in the 90the minute of the game – to single-handedly double his team’s points tally for the campaign. He’ll be looking to build on this form as he aim for a breakthrough season.

While Almeria earned a precious point against one of the top four from last term, Racing Santander were on the receiving end of a hammering from champions Barcelona on Wednesday. Not only that, it was the second consecutive home game where they lost by a 4-1 margin, and by the final whistle their fans at El Sardinero were left shell-shocked.

The Cantabrians do have better luck away from home, and they are hoping that Mohammed Tchite will help them ease their woes as he looks set to return from injury. Prediction: Almeria 2-1 Racing Santander

17:00 CET – Osasuna vs Sporting Gijon Osasuna picked up their first win of the season on Wednesday with a 2-1 victory at Valladolid, and the Pamplona-based outfit will be eager to keep the winning momentum going. They want to haul themselves out of the bottom half of the table so as to avoid a repeat of last season, when they spent almost the entire campaign in the relegation zone.

Coach Jose Antonio Camacho will have Sergio back from suspension but will still be without Ludovic Delporte, Dady, as well as Spain U-20 international Cesar Azpilicueta.

Sporting were expected to follow up their impressive 2-2 draw at Valencia last weekend with another positive result at home to Zaragoza on Thursday, but they only managed a tame 1-1 draw. Still, with five points on the board, they are sitting comfortably in 12th spot, and like Osasuna, they will be eager to steer clear of the demotion dogfight as early as possible. Michel returns from a one-game ban but Gregory Arnolin will be unavailable.

Prediction: Osasuna 3-2 Sporting Gijon

17:00 CET – Espanyol vs Xerez Espanyol finally notched up their first win in a competitive football match at their new Cornella-El Prat stadium in midweek with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Malaga.

They now have a chance to make it two home wins on the trot and confidence is running high in their talented but under-performing squad as the goals start to flow freely. The Blanc-i-Blau will be glad to have Japanese playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura back to full fitness after a minor ankle sprain restricted him to only a substitute appearance in midweek. Raul Tamudo and Ivan de la Pena, on the other hand, are still carrying injuries.

Four rounds in and Xerez are already realising just how difficult life is in the top flight. But there’s still hope for the tiny Andalucians. Sporting Gijon were in the same boat last season, rooted to the foot of the table without a single point after five rounds, but they somehow managed to survive the drop. Coach Cuco Ziganda will need every single member of his squad fit and available at all times. Their first order of business, though, will be to score their first goal.

Prediction: Espanyol 2-0 Xerez

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