Eibar players pose for a photo before a game. (Photo : Getty Images)
Surprise team SD Eibar (7-5-6, 27 points) continues to exceed expectations and it now looks to extend its winning run to three games against mercurial squad RCD Espanyol (6-9-3, 21 points) in a 2015-2016 La Liga season meeting this Sunday, January 10 at the Estadio Municipal de Ipura.
Eibar dominated newly-promoted team Real Betis, 4-0, on the road at the Estadio Benito Villamarín last Sunday, via Soccerway.
Right back Ander Capa, winger Keko, midfielder Adrian, and striker Borja each scored a goal at the third, 17th, 71st, and 82nd minutes respectively to complete the Armagiñak's four-goal haul.
The victory, which was the second straight of José Luis Mendilibar's squad after being winless in their previous four games, pushed the team up to eighth place in the current league table, tied on points with seventh placer Deportivo La Coruna but has a lower goal differential total.
Meanwhile, Espanyol managed to force defending champions Barcelona into a goalless draw at their home stadium of Estadi Cornellà-El Prat last Saturday to keep them in the middle of the league table, as per SkySports.
Even without scoring, Los Periquitos noticeably got the better of their more illustrious Catalonia neighbors as the attacks of world football superstars Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez were effectively defended by Constantin Gâlcă's men.
With the draw, Espanyol rose to 12th place in the league table while Barça relinquished league leadership to Atletico Madrid.
The predicted result is a 2-0 win for Eibar. Mendilibar and his boys are keen on maintaining their slow climb up the league ladder as the White and Blues continue to struggle in finding victories this season.
Eibar starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Riesgo; Capa, Echaide, Ramis, Luna; Escalante, Carrillo; Keko, Adrian, Bender, Enrich
Espanyol starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Lopez; Rios, Alvaro, Roco, Alvarez; Jordan, Diop; Gullon, Asensio, Burgui; Caicedo
