RCD Espanyol vs Sevilla

Espanyol host Sevilla at RCDE Stadium looking to halt an alarming slide. After opening with a 3-0 win over Levante, Espanyol have lost back-to-back league games and sit 12th with three points, while Sevilla are seventh on six after wins over Rayo Vallecano and Athletic Bilbao either side of a heavy loss to Atlético Madrid. Espanyol's attack still runs through Roberto Fernández, their leading scorer, with Javi Hernández supplying the creativity, but they'll be missing injured pair Javier Puado (cruciate ligament) and Kike García (hamstring). Sevilla welcome back winger Ruben Vargas from injury, though Isaac Romero is suspended and Marcão is out with a foot problem, leaving Djibril Sow as their main creative outlet. History favours the visitors, who have won three of the last four meetings, including a comeback win in May, and Sevilla's sharper attacking form makes them slight favourites over a shaky Espanyol side short on confidence at home. Our prediction: 1-2