Espanyol travel to the Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday to face Atletico Madrid, looking to recover from their poor start to the season.
Espanyol have won just twice in their opening 12 fixtures and sit 19th, three points adrift of 17th placed Real Mallorca.
Atletico, on the other hand, sit fourth in La Liga, one point less than the top of the table Barcelona.
However, Barca have played one fewer matches, while Atletico have struggled in front of goal managing just 12 goals in their opening 12 league matches, securing just one win in their last six.
Team news
Atletico could be without record signing Joao Felix for the visit of Espanyol who is suffering from a sprained ankle.
Defenders Jose Gimenez, Sime Vrsaljko and Stefan Savic are also all doubts to make the game.
Pablo Piatti is the main long-term absentee for Espanyol, with the Argentinian not expected to return until December.
Elsewhere, Fernando Caldo, Javi Puado and Facundo Ferreyra are all doubts, while Jonathan Calleri is set to miss the match with a thigh injury.
Prediction
The worst attack in La Liga, Espanyol, meet the best defence, Atletico Madrid, in a match that could prove tight and low scoring.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone will be desperate to see his side create more going forward, so coming up against a side that has already conceded 20 La Liga goals could be the perfect time to do that.
Following the sale of Antoine Griezmann in the summer, Felix has yet to step up and replace his goals.
He does have Angel Correa, Alvaro Morata and Diego Costa to call on, but they will need to show more form quickly if Atletico are to keep up with Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Things have been a bit of a mess at Espanyol since the departure of Rubi in the summer, but with the highly-rated Pablo Machin now in charge, they will hope for a quick turnaround.
Despite Atletico’s struggles in front of goal, they should still expect to win this game 2-0.
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