Espanyol vs Elche prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2022-10-22 12:00.
Espanyol were unable to build on last weekend’s 1-0 success over Valladolid, going down by the same scoreline in midweek at Osasuna. That left Diego MartĂnez’s men looking nervously behind them, just a point clear of the bottom three going into this round – but they have the ability to bounce back, as it was still their only defeat since the start of October (W1, D2).
MartĂnez stressed after the midweek loss that “we need to get up because we have another important game this Sunday” and encouragingly for Espanyol they have shown improved form at home recently, winning all four of their points at the RCDE Stadium this season across the last two games. They lost this corresponding fixture last season though, and haven’t beaten Elche in the last four H2Hs, but should feel confident of extending their current home run against the current basement boys.
Elche’s chances of avoiding relegation for a third season since promotion in 2020 took another blow on Wednesday, when a very predictable 3-0 drubbing against champions Real Madrid kept them winless this term (D3, L7). Alarmingly, it also put them on the brink of being just the tenth La Liga (LL) side in 40 years to go without victory in the opening 11 rounds.
Just two of the previous nine teams in that period went on to survive, illustrating the task that lies ahead for Elche, who will also remain bottom regardless of the result here. Even the slight positive of their first away point since April in a recent 2-2 draw vs Valencia is tainted with disappointment, as it was also the second LL away game in succession to see a first-half opener cancelled out before the break.
Players to watch: Joselu netted the winner against Valladolid in Espanyol’s last home game, and his two prior career goals against Elche have, likewise, been match openers. If Elche are to upset the odds, Pere Milla seems like a worthy candidate to make an impact, with his double earning Elche a point on their last road trip.
Hot streak: None of the last four teams occupying bottom spot after 11 LL rounds have finished there.