Espanyol vs Elche Match Analysis and Prediction

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Two teams will be back in the La Liga action when Espanyol will welcome Elche on Monday, looking to make it back-to-back victories.

Espanyol are currently sitting 11th in La Liga standings, with 26 points from their opening 19 matches of the season, while Elche are 17th, level on points with 18th-placed Alaves in the table.

The hosts have have been impressive on their return to La Liga, winning seven, drawing five and losing seven of their 19 league matches.

They are just four points adrift of the top six in the standings, and they recorded an impressive 2-1 victory away to Valencia in their last league match in December.

Vicente Moreno’s side also progressed to the last-16 stage of the Copa del Rey last week by defeating Ponferrandina on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

They are unbeaten in their last three La Liga fixtures against Elche, although the last two encounters ended level, including the reverse match earlier this season.

Elche have struggled for consistency this season, keeping a record of three wins, seven draws and nine losses from their 19 matches. However, it does not appear they will be in the relegation battle in the second half of the season.

Elche played out a goalless draw with Granada in the league last time out, but picked up a victory in the Copa del Rey on Thursday, beating Almeria 2-1 to progress to the round of 16.

They finished 17th in La Liga last season, just two points clear of the bottom three, and they have some tough fixtures ahead, facing Villarreal and Real Madrid in their next two league fixtures.

Los Franjiverdes have also been drawn against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey, which means that they will take on Los Blancos in successive fixtures across two competition later this month.

Espanyol vs Elche head to head

The two Spanish clubs have previously met on five encounters in La Liga dating from October 2013, where Elche have won twice while Espanyol have won once and they have drawn twice. Both teams have scored 8 goals in the process, and they have drawn in their last two meetings.

Elche 2-1 Espanyol 05/10/13

Espanyol 3-1 Elche 09/03/14

Elche 2-1 Espanyol 02/11/14

Espanyol 1-1 Elche 06/04/15

Elche 2-2 Espanyol 23/10/21

Espanyol latest home form

Espanyol have recently been on a good run of form at home, as they have not lost in their last seven matches. They won their last match at home, defeating Levante 4-3 in the league. In their last five, they have won four and drawn in one in the league.

Espanyol 2-0 Cadiz 18/10/21

Espanyol 1-1 Athletic Bilbao 26/10/21

Espanyol 2-0 Granada 06/11/21

Espanyol 1-0 Real Sociedad 28/11/21

Espanyol 4-3 Levante 11/12/21

Espanyol latest away form

Espanyol won their last match on the road, having defeated Ponferradina through penalties after a 1-1 draw in the Copa del Rey. They also won their last league away match through defeating Valencia 2-1. They have won three and lost two of their last five matches on the road.

Rayo Vallecano 1-0 Espanyol 05/12/21

Cristo Atletico 1-2 Espanyol 14/12/21

Celta Vigo 3-1 Espanyol 17/12/21

Valencia 1-2 Espanyol 31/12/21

Ponferradina 1-1(P) Espanyol 04/01/22

Elche latest home form

Elche have recently been on a relatively low form at home, as they have won just one of their last five matches, when they defeated Cadiz 3-1. They drew 0-0 with Granada in their last match at home. In their last five, they have won one, drawn two and lost two.

Elche 2-2 Espanyol 23/10/21

Elche 1-2 Real Madrid 30/10/21

Elche 0-3 Real Betis 21/11/21

Elche 3-1 Cadiz 05/12/21

Elche 0-0 Granada 02/01/22

Elche latest away form

Elche won their last match on the road when they defeated Almeria 2-1 in the Copa del Rey. However, they have failed to keep consistency, having lost their last two La Liga matches to Valencia and Barcelona. They have won three and lost two of their last five matches on the road.

Leioa 0-2 Elche 02/12/21

Valencia 2-1 Elche 11/12/21

Unionistas de Salamanca 0-1 Elche 15/12/21

Barcelona 3-2 Elche 18/12/21

Almeria 1-2 Elche 06/01/22

Espanyol news

Espanyol will be without David Lopez through injury, while they will be waiting on Miguel Llambrich, Fran Merida and Manu Morlanes, who recently tested positive for COVID-19.

Adri Embarba will return in attack, while Raul de Tomas will again lead the line , with Javi Puado and Nico Melamed continuing in the starting XI.

Elche news

Both Diego Gonzalez and Fidel will not be available due to suspension, while Lucas Perez will face a late fitness test.

A number of changes are expected from the side that started against Almeria, with Tete Morente, Edgar Badia, Omar Mascarell and Helibelton Palacios all in line to return to the first XI.

Prediction and Odds

Espanyol have been in strong form playing at home, and after defeating Valencia last time out, they are likely to come into this contest with more confidence.

Elche have won just once away in La Liga this season, and with the quality of their opponents, we see them lose here.

Odds: 1 2.78 X 3.10 2 2.21