Promotion Final Showdown: Real Oviedo and Espanyol Clash for La Liga Return

Real Oviedo and Espanyol will both be looking to end their respective winless streaks when they face off in La Liga on Friday evening. The hosts currently sit 17th in the table with six points from their first eight matches, while ninth-placed Espanyol have collected 12 points from their opening fixtures.

Newly promoted Real Oviedo are enduring a difficult start to their first top-flight campaign since the 2000-01 season. With a record of two wins and six losses, they are positioned just one point above the relegation zone, with survival being their primary objective. Their recent 2-0 home defeat to Levante resulted in the dismissal of manager Veljko Paunovic. Luis Carrion has been reappointed to the role, having previously managed the club from September 2023 to June 2024, and will take charge for the first time on Friday.

Espanyol enjoyed a strong start to the season, but their form has faltered recently. The Catalan side has collected just two points from their last four league games, which included draws against Girona and Valencia and defeats to Real Madrid and Real Betis. Manager Manolo Gonzalez will be eager for a response from his team following their 2-1 loss to Betis before the international break, as they aim to improve on last season’s 14th-place finish. Historically, Espanyol have a strong record against Oviedo, losing only one of their last nine top-flight encounters.

Team News

Real Oviedo will be boosted by the return of Luka Ilic, who is available again after serving a suspension. While Alvaro Lemos remains sidelined with a knee injury, the club is optimistic that right-back Nacho Vidal will recover from a hamstring issue in time to feature. Veteran striker Salomon Rondon, who scored his first goal of the season against Valencia in late September, is expected to lead the attack.

Espanyol’s main injury concern is attacker Javi Puado, who is expected to be out until December. Otherwise, the squad is in good health. Puado’s absence will likely lead to a single change from the lineup that faced Real Betis, with Urko Gonzalez poised to start. Pere Milla, who has been in excellent form with three goals in six appearances, will feature alongside Roberto Fernandez in the attack.

Real Oviedo possible starting lineup:
Escandell; Vidal, Carmo, Bailly, Alhassane; Colombatto, Dendoncker; Hassan, Ilic, Chaira; Rondon

Espanyol possible starting lineup:
Dmitrovic; El Hilali, Riedel, Cabrera, Romero; Gonzalez, Lozano; Dolan, Exposito, Milla; Fernandez

Prediction: Real Oviedo 1-1 Espanyol

While the return of manager Luis Carrion may provide a boost for Real Oviedo, they face a capable Espanyol side. Given both teams’ recent struggles for victories, a tightly contested match is expected, with a draw being a likely outcome.

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