With over half the season gone, Espanyol remain a side firmly in the running to earn a Champions League spot. Boasting 37 points, Mauricio Pochettino’s men lag Valencia and Sunday’s opponents Villarreal by three and five marks respectively. The fixture at the Cornella-El Prat therefore promises to be a huge encounter in the context of the race for the top four.
Having latched onto the top teams, Espanyol have shown that they have improved their away form sufficiently to be able to compete with them. Six of their last nine Primera Division matches have ended with los Periquitos claiming three points, and at home this season they’ve been almost unstoppable. Barcelona may have won 5-1 at their city-rivals, but Pochettino’s men have otherwise not dropped a solitary point at home.
Two testing away matches have threatened the position of the Catalan club over the last fortnight, but these challenges have been overcome impressively. Improved Sevilla were edged 2-1 before Getafe were beaten 3-1 thanks to a trio of second half goals from Luis Garcia, Jose Callejon and Sergio Garcia.
The absence of top scorer Pablo Osvaldo was expected to significantly slow the momentum of los Periquitos, but that hasn’t been the case. The likes of Callejon and Luis Garcia have instead lifted the level of their performances, making up for the loss of their chief marksman. Even having lost Victor Ruiz to Napoli this week, this is a side that will take some stopping, particularly in front of their home support.
Travelling Toils
There can be little doubt that in the first half of the Liga season, Villarreal were the strongest force behind Barcelona and Real Madrid. Juan Carlos Garrido’s side have maintained their form through the winter break and into the second half of the campaign, winning three of their four fixtures since the turn of the year.
The Yellow Submarine are not infallible though, and statistics such as their tally of six wins in their last eight matches could be misinterpreted. Much of their strength has come from their performances at El Madrigal, where they have been almost flawless this term. Only one of those aforementioned victories has come on the road, and even that was a 1-0 success over struggling Zaragoza.
Garrido has his side playing magnificently at home, and even without a number of crucial first team players they’ve managed to pick up wins over Osasuna and Real Sociedad over the last fortnight. La Real actually had the lead at El Madrigal, but a couple of magnificent finishes from Giuseppe Rossi ensured there would be no surprising slips from the third placed club.
Adding to the good feeling around the east coast outfit is the news that Rossi has penned a contract extension this week. With the American-born Italian international striker presently in full flow, the Yellow Submarine will boast a significant scoring threat, but one away win in six is not the kind of record that befits a team as lofty as Villarreal and points to potential trouble on Sunday.
TEAM NEWS
Espanyol
The sale of Victor Ruiz to Napoli will significantly weaken Espanyol’s rearguard, while the club’s precarious financial position is leading them to sell Didac Vila too.
Raul Baena is doubtful because of a leg problem and Aldo Duscher is expected to overcome concussion to play.
Pablo Osvaldo continues to fight his way back to fitness. Ivan de la Pena, Ernesto Galan and Felipe Mattioni are long-term concerns.
Villarreal
There have been no reports of fresh injury problems to concern Juan Carlos Garrido. Juan Carlos, Marcos Senna and Nilmar all remain out. Carlos Marchena is closing in on action.
Prediction
These two outfits occupy lofty positions in the Primera Division standings largely off the back of terrific home form. Villarreal may have recorded an emphatic victory over Espanyol when they last met, but the story could be very different at the Cornella-El Prat. The loss of Victor Ruiz will hurt the hosts, however.
Espanyol 2-2 Villarreal 
