Espanyol will aim for their first win of 2026 when they host Real Oviedo at RCDE Stadium on Monday evening. The match holds significant implications for both teams, as Espanyol currently sits seventh in La Liga, while Oviedo occupies the bottom position in the table.
Match Preview: Espanyol vs Real Oviedo
Espanyol concluded 2025 with an impressive five consecutive league victories. However, their form has dipped sharply in 2026, dropping out of European competition discussions. They have garnered only three points from their last nine fixtures, including a 2-2 draw against Elche in their previous match.
With 36 points from 26 games, Espanyol trails sixth-placed Celta Vigo by four points. At home, they have accumulated 20 points over 13 matches in the current season. Espanyol will look to build on their previous victory against Oviedo, where they won 2-0 earlier in the season.
Recent Form and Statistics
Real Oviedo has faced a challenging season, recording merely three wins, eight draws, and 15 losses in their matches. They are in dire need of points, sitting at the bottom of the table with 17 points, ten points adrift of safety. The Blues managed only one win away from home this season and have the lowest goal tally in the league, scoring just 16 times.
Head-to-Head Record
Historically, Oviedo has struggled against Espanyol. They have lost three of their last four encounters and have not won away against the Catalan side since September 1991. Their most recent outing ended in a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Rayo Vallecano, marking another tough day in their campaign.
Team News
- Espanyol: Javi Puado is injured and unavailable. Antoniu Roca will undergo a late fitness test. Additionally, Charles Pickel is suspended, and Edu Exposito is also out due to a yellow card accumulation.
- Real Oviedo: David Costas, Eric Bailly, Ovie Ejaria, Thiago Borbas, and Leander Dendoncker are all doubtful for the match.
Kike Garcia, the top scorer for Espanyol with seven goals across all competitions, is expected to play a key role. Federico Vinas has scored five La Liga goals for Oviedo and is set to feature prominently in the attack.
Predictions
The upcoming match is crucial for both teams. Our prediction leans towards Espanyol securing a 2-1 victory over Real Oviedo. Given Oviedo’s ongoing struggles in the top league, this match presents a critical opportunity for Espanyol to bounce back.
