Leganes vs Espanyol Predictions

• Only goal difference separates these two sides, who are five points adrift of safety at the bottom of La Liga heading into this weekend’s game.
• Both teams have identical records this term; winning two, drawing four and losing 11 of their 17 league matches so far.
• Leganes have picked up seven of their ten points at home, whilst Espanyol have earned eight of their ten points on the road.

A huge three points on the line at Butarque

Both Leganes and Espanyol are odds-on with the bookmakers to be relegated from La Liga this season, and it’s easy to see why based on what we’ve seen throughout the first half of the campaign.

The sides have identical records going into this Sunday’s crucial six-pointer at Butarque, with two wins, four draws and 11 defeats posted in 17 outings. Only goal difference separates the pair at the foot of the table, with Lega marginally better off by a four goal difference.

Nonetheless, the teams are fortunate to only be five points behind the safety line as we approach the halfway stage of the season. The likes of Mallorca and Eibar are within striking distance following woeful runs of form, and a win for either side here this weekend could see the gap dramatically reduced.

As such, a draw isn’t much use to either Lega or Espanyol this Sunday morning, which could lead to an exciting encounter, despite the obvious lack of quality possessed by the teams.

Lega crucially in better form

The records of these two sides may be identical, but it’s Leganes who are in better nick heading into this weekend’s clash.

Los Pepineros have picked up four points from their last two La Liga outings; beating Celta Vigo 3-2 at Butarque a fortnight ago, before securing a 1-1 draw away to Alaves last weekend.

Prior to those engagements, Javier Aguirre’s men lost by only a single goal margin to 3^rd placed Sevilla (1-0) and champions Barcelona (1-2), whilst they have also won two of their last four league fixtures at home.

In comparison, Espanyol are without a win in seven La Liga matches, following two draws and five defeats since the end of October. Periquitos have lost their last three La Liga outings on the road by an aggregate score of 8-1, and that’s why they are rated outsiders at around the 3/1 mark for this Sunday’s trip to the capital.

Back the hosts to boost their survival hopes

Espanyol returned to winning ways in midweek as they eased past Lleida Esportiu 0-2 in the Copa Del Rey, but we don’t envisage Pablo Machin’s men building on that success here.

There clearly isn’t too much between Periquitos and Lega in terms of quality, but it’s the hosts who come into this Sunday’s game in better form and with more momentum on side.

Lega have shown their battling qualities since Javier Aguirre stepped into the hotseat, as typified by their recent efforts against Sevilla and Barca, and they can grind out a third La Liga win of the campaign here, to reduce their arrears at the bottom of the standings.

We expect this to be an open contest based on the sides’ need for maximum points, and both are fancied to score, as has been the case in five of Lega’s last six home matches. With the hosts taken to edge it, we’re going for a 2-1 correct score prediction in their favour.