Eldense hosts Espanyol this Sunday at 14:00 in LaLiga HypermotionTV, a fixture that could turn Nuevo Pepico Amat into a full house for the first time this season. The clash promises drama as Eldense aims to shift a negative run against a rival eager to end a stretch of mixed results away from home.
Fernando Estévez: “We will play a very good match against Espanyol, right at Pepico Amat”
ANALYSIS
Eldense has carried momentum from a recent away victory against Amorebieta, a result that reinforced the club’s belief that a strong atmosphere at home could spark a breakthrough in this campaign. Espanyol’s prestige adds weight to the evening, and the locals are hoping to capitalize on the chance to break a long home drought in front of their supporters.
Fernando Estevez, Eldense’s manager, stressed that the home crowd could tip the balance as the team faces a side he labeled as historic. While Espanyol have drawn on their travels, Estevez highlighted their potential and the challenge ahead. “In my view, they are the second-best team in the league, even though they possess the strongest squad,” he noted. “This is a chapter we can now enjoy on our own turf.”
Despite the excitement, Estevez also cautioned that consistency remains necessary. The coach spoke about the opportunity for a confident performance at Pepico Amat and the importance of translating training into results on matchday.
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Estévez faces squad selection challenges as several players near return dates. Defender Carlos Hernandez, midfielder Lachhab, and forward Andone are all in the final stages of recovery from injuries, which may limit options for the coach as he plans the lineup.
Espanyol, meanwhile, arrives with a contrasting recent history. They have not won away at Cartagena since October 5, a run that stretches across 115 days, with a draw and a loss leaving them seeking momentum on the road. Luis Miguel Ramis’s team regained confidence after a home win over Villarreal B and sit in the upper part of the standings, just outside the promotion zone. The Catalan club is keen to convert this period of parity in League Two into continued results and avoid slipping further away from the top tier targets.
Key injuries for Espanyol include Nico Melamed, who underwent left-shoulder surgery, and Javi Puado, who is expected to be sidelined for two weeks due to a soleus issue. Additionally, a late yellow card to a wide player may complicate selection for the next match. The starting XI at the Nuevo Pepico Amat Stadium is anticipated to be stable, with only potential surprises, as the team prioritizes defensive solidity and efficiency away from home.
Danish striker Braithwaite has been a standout for Eldense, contributing two goals against Villarreal B last week and standing as the league’s top scorer with 11 goals. His presence in the attack reflects Eldense’s ambitions to push for promotion, making him a focal point of the team’s plans and a constant threat to opposition defences.
There is limited historical data between the two clubs, with only this season’s first-round meeting providing a frame for assessment. The September 17 encounter at Cornellà ended in a high-scoring three-way draw, featuring goals from Soberón, Chapela, and Andone for Eldense, alongside a Puado double and Braithwaite strike for Espanyol.
Possible alignments
Eldense: Álvaro Acebes; Toni Abad, Íñigo Piña, Dumic, Marc Mateu; Timor, Sergio Ortuño; Clemente, Iván Chapela, Soberón and Mo Dauda.
Espanyol: Pacheco; Óscar Gil, Sergi Gómez, Calero, Brian Oliván; Edu Expósito, Aguado, Lozano, Salvi; Braithwaite and Pere Milla.