When sixth-placed Espanyol, with 18 points, host ninth-placed Sevilla, with 16 points, at the RCDE Stadium on Monday evening, a stable home side will face a traditional club under sporting and economic pressure. Espanyol are just two points behind Real Betis and have won four of their seven home games in front of their own fans. Sevilla are coming off a 1-0 win against Osasuna, but the victory came from a penalty and only partially masks what has been a mixed season overall.
Under Manolo González, Espanyol have been particularly solid at home in La Liga, while Sevilla have shown little consistency this season. Added to this is the head-to-head record, which clearly favors the Andalusians: Espanyol has not won against Sevilla in five games, with the last encounter ending 1-1 in January, preceded by three defeats. Psychologically, the advantage therefore lies with Sevilla, even if the current form paints a more nuanced picture.
In terms of personnel, the situation is much more uneven. Sevilla are missing two attacking players, Isaac Romero and Alexis Sánchez, due to injury, and there have also been recent problems with Azpilicueta, Marcão, and Nianzou. Carmona is unavailable after receiving a yellow card suspension, which further weakens the defense. Espanyol do not have to cope with any comparable serious absences, which noticeably strengthens their already existing home advantage.
Tactically, Espanyol are likely to try to control the game in their own stadium, with calm build-up play and lots of crosses and set pieces. Sevilla are likely to counter this with a more compact, wait-and-see approach, looking to capitalize on quick transitions, but they are significantly more limited than they would be at full strength due to the absences in central defense and attack.
Likely scenarios are a narrow home win or a draw with few goals. Value bets could be Espanyol to win or markets on over/under 2.5 goals, with a tendency towards under 2.5 goals, depending on the odds. Caution is advised when placing single bets on a Sevilla win due to the absences and the tense overall situation. For Espanyol, players who can deliver dangerous set pieces and precise crosses will be particularly important, especially as defensive stability at home is a plus point. Sevilla will have to rely on substitutes to fill the gaps, while the absences in central defense increase the risk of conceding goals. The points are very important for both teams in the battle for the upper half of the table.
- Venue: RCDE Stadium, Cornella de Llobregat
- Date and time: 11/24/2025, 9:00 p.m.
- Competition: La Liga (Matchday 13)
Our tip for this fixture is that Espanyol will win, with odds of around 2.0. Given the circumstances, a moderate stake is advisable, as the odds offer good value potential.
This is supported by the home record: Espanyol has won four of its last seven home games and scored in each of its last four league games. Sevilla is traveling with a severely depleted offense, with Isaac Romero and Alexis Sánchez out injured and Carmona suspended. This weakens the squad overall, with Akor Adams likely the only truly reliable option at center forward.
There are also question marks over Sevilla’s defense. The team has conceded goals in four consecutive competitive games and lost its most recent away games in San Sebastián and Madrid. Espanyol, on the other hand, has a decent record at the RCDE Stadium and has almost a full squad to choose from, with only Javi Puado out, while Carlos Romero and Ramón Terrats are fit again.
The market is pricing a Sevilla away win at around 4.0, reflecting skepticism about the Andalusians’ offensive power. The odds of around 2.0 for an Espanyol win therefore seem attractive, but remain associated with a moderate risk, as Sevilla, despite all their problems, still have quality in set pieces and counterattacks. Recommendation: small to moderate stake, always with clean bankroll management.
Espanyol Form & Record Check
Espanyol is in a strong 6th place with 18 points after about a third of the season, but has lost its last two league games, 0-2 against Villarreal and 1-2 at Alavés. The gap in the table is small, with only a one-point lead over Getafe and two points behind Real Betis.
Things were going much better before that, with three wins in a row: 2-0 at Oviedo, 1-0 at home against Elche, and a 2-1 victory in the cup in Lleida. Their home form at the RCDE Stadium is decent, with four wins from seven games, but there is still room for improvement if they are to establish themselves in the race for international places.
It is noticeable that Espanyol often fail to score before half-time and then pick up significantly after the break. In four of their last five games, Espanyol have scored in the second half, which suggests successful tactical or mental adjustments in the dressing room.
Coach Manolo González has stabilized the team and is rotating cautiously. Roberto Fernández usually plays as the lone striker, occasionally supported by Kike García. Against Villarreal, the offense remained rather harmless despite several changes at halftime and later in the game, which underscores the current need for improvement in the final third.
In terms of personnel, the absence of Javi Puado until at least December due to a knee problem is a particular issue, as it noticeably limits the offensive options. On the positive side, Carlos Romero and Ramón Terrats are available again, offering the coach additional options.
The bottom line is that Espanyol has sufficient quality and stability, but needs to quickly end its small losing streak in order to stay at the top. It seems important to start the game with more focus and punch before halftime, to practice alternative offensive solutions without Puado, such as playing with two strikers or strengthening the wing play, and to continue with the apparently effective halftime analyses.
Espanyol are expected to play a 4-2-3-1 system. Dmitrovic is likely to start in goal against his former club.
The back four is likely to consist of El Hilali, Calero, Cabrera, and Salinas. In front of them, Urko González de Zárate and Lozano will form the double six in defensive midfield.
In the attacking trio, Dolan, Exposito, and Milla will provide creativity and passes to the striker. Roberto Fernández is likely to start up front, with Kike García remaining an option for a starting role or as a substitute.
Espanyol will continue to be without Puado, who is expected to be out until December with a knee problem. On a positive note, Carlos Romero and Terrats are fit again and will strengthen the squad.
Sevilla Form & Record Check
Sevilla is currently showing significant fluctuations in performance. Important home wins, such as the 1-0 victory over Osasuna, are repeatedly followed by clear setbacks, such as the 0-3 defeat at Atlético. The results are usually relatively clear-cut, with draws being rare, which indicates a high degree of variance in performance and results.
The team looks vulnerable defensively, conceding at least one goal in each of its last four competitive games, and in four of its last five games, a total of over 2.5 goals were scored. This points to structural problems in defense and a lack of stability in build-up play.
Sevilla scores regularly in attack, but too often loses the battle against the opposition’s efficiency. The muscle injuries to Isaac Romero and Alexis Sánchez significantly reduce the team’s attacking power, and their return is uncertain, making planning even more difficult for coach Almeyda.
There are also tactical and personnel bottlenecks in the squad. Coach Almeyda is clearly struggling to rotate his squad while maintaining quality. Players such as Akor Adams and the wing options are being called upon more, but have only been able to fulfill these additional tasks in phases so far, which means that the pressure often eases off over 90 minutes.
This is reflected in the table, where Sevilla are in 9th place with 16 points, well below their own expectations. Given the tight margins, including a tie on points with Real Sociedad, even a brief slump or another injury could have an immediate impact on their position.
In the short term, Sevilla needs more compactness in the center, clearer procedures for set pieces and communication, and defined roles for the substitute strikers. The focus of training on counter-attacking defense and fitness is obvious, as is precise medical management of muscle injuries to avoid relapses. As long as the injury worries for key players continue and tactical stability is lacking, results will remain inconsistent, but with the return of important players and improved defensive processes, stabilization is possible in the medium to long term.
Sevilla are expected to line up in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation. Adams is set to lead the line, as Isaac Romero is out with an adductor injury and Alexis Sánchez has a torn muscle fiber.
Mendy and Sow are expected to play in the double six in the center. Behind them, Peque, Juanlu, and Vargas will form an attacking trio to provide creative impetus and supply Adams with assists.
The back four is likely to consist of Carmona, Nianzou, Marcão, and Suazo in front of goalkeeper Vlachodimos, which, despite the tense personnel situation, represents an experienced but not well-rehearsed formation.
Espanyol – Sevilla Head-to-head comparison & statistics
Sevilla has the upper hand in the head-to-head comparison. In the last five encounters, the Andalusians have recorded three wins and two draws, with no defeats during this period. Espanyol has been waiting for a win against this opponent since February 2022.
The goal statistics also clearly point to a lively duel. At least two goals were scored in all five games, with Sevilla scoring in each of these encounters, while Espanyol conceded at least one goal in all five games.
The patterns before the break are also striking. Espanyol showed clear weaknesses in the first half of the direct duels and fell behind early in four consecutive encounters. Sevilla scored before the break in each of the last four games in this fixture.
Although both teams scored in the last three meetings, Espanyol still failed to pick up any points. These results and Sevilla’s recurring early leads suggest that the Andalusians usually have a better mental and tactical grip on the direct duel.
All in all, the statistics clearly favor Sevilla, mainly because of their strong first halves and consistent offensive performance. If Espanyol wants to break this pattern, they will have to eliminate their initial weaknesses in order to compete on equal terms.
