Athletic Bilbao midfielder Raul Garcia (R) competes for the ball against Espanyol's Javi Lopez. (Photo : Getty Images)
Reeling team RCD Espanyol (2-3-5, 11 points) is set to face contending squad Athletic Bilbao (5-4-1, 16 points) at their home field of Cornellà-El Prat Stadium on Nov. 6, Sunday as round 11 competitions of the 2016-2017 La Liga season continues.
Start Time and Streaming Info
The game starts at 10:15 a.m. ET. It can be viewed live online thru FuboTV.
Espanyol snapped a four-game winless spell after pulling off a 1-0 nipping of lowly side Real Betis last Sunday on the road at the Benito Villamarín Stadium, as per Sofa Score.
Mexican defender Diego Reyes provided the lone goal for head coach Quique Sánchez Flores' side in the 62nd minute with a header from the center of the box off a cross by Argentine midfielder Pablo Piatti following a corner kick.
It was only the second win of Los Periquitos in their last six matches as it snapped a three-straight draw performances for the team.
Espanyol is currently settled at the 12th spot of the Spanish top flight table, only two points above the bottom three relegation area. They are tied on points with Béticos, but their superior goal difference made them occupy 12th place.
Meanwhile, Athletic Bilbao has been winless in three of their last six outings to drop to the seventh place in the overall standings. The team is tied on points with Real Sociedad but has a lesser goal difference to miss the chance to temporarily hold the final Europa League qualifying berth for next season.
Los Leones was held to a 1-1 tie by bottom three squad Osasuna at their home ground of San Mamés Stadium also last Sunday, ESPN reported.
Osasuna forward Oriol Riera opened the scoring with a header in the 23rd minute off a cross by midfielder Roberto Torres. However, the score was immediately equalized by Bilbao midfielder Raul Garcia five minutes later with the assist coming from striker Sabin Merino.
Prediction and Predicted Lineup
The predicted result is a close 1-0 win by Athletic Bilbao.
Espanyol starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Diego Lopez; Sanchez, David Lopez, Reyes, Martin; Gullon, Fuego, Roca, Piatti; Baptistao, Gerard
Athletic Bilbao starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Iraizoz; de Marcos, Etxeita, Laporte, Balenziaga; San Jose, Benat; Williams, Garcia, Muniain; Merino
