RCD Espanyol vs Elche CF

When Espanyol host Elche on 18 September, both clubs will be looking to shake off uneven starts to the Primera Division season. Espanyol sit in the lower half of the table, while Elche are still searching for their first win and sit closer to the relegation zone. Points here matter early. Espanyol's form has been streaky, following up a 3-0 win over Levante with defeats to Real Madrid and Real Sociedad before a 1-1 draw at Sevilla. Elche's start has been rockier still — a 0-5 defeat to Barcelona, a loss at Racing Club, and a 2-3 defeat to Real Sociedad most recently, leaving them still without a win. Elche lost several forwards over the summer and reportedly explored a move for Espanyol's Kike García, who stayed put and remains their main attacking threat. Historically Espanyol hold the edge in this fixture, though recent meetings have tended to finish level. Our prediction: 2-1