**Espanyol's looking to bounce back after a mixed run, but Alavés is sliding downhill fast.** This is a classic mid-table scrap where form matters, and the hosts have the edge. 🔴

Espanyol grabbed a convincing 5-1 win over Madrid CFF at home and draws keep them steady. Alavés, meanwhile, just got demolished 6-0 by Barcelona and haven't found rhythm away from home either — three losses in five is rough.

Key storylines:

- **Espanyol's home comfort** — they've won and drawn here already this season; Alavés has lost big on the road lately 📍
- **Attacking spark from Espanyol's midfield** — **P. Gutiérrez** and **M. Torrás** need to control tempo and feed the front line
- **Alavés hunting redemption** — **K. Z. Brima** and **C. Sobrón** are dangerous but need service from a struggling setup

Expected lineups:

- **RCD Espanyol de Barcelona**: R. Salvador, L. Vallejo, R. G. Yagüe, J. G. Peiró, A. Domenech, P. Gutiérrez, M. Torrás, I. Lacosta, C. I. Bicho, O. Baradad, P. Browne
- **Deportivo Alavés**: S. Fuente, Pichi, I. J. Altamira, L. P. Cañueto, H. A. E. Haj, K. Shinji, N. López, J. Vidal, C. Sobrón, A. Gómez, K. Z. Brima

Prediction:

**Espanyol 2-0 Alavés**

Home form and Alavés's fragility point to a comfortable win for the hosts.