RCD Espanyol faces a difficult run of five remaining fixtures in La Liga as they fight to avoid relegation, currently sitting five points clear of the drop zone. The Barcelona club has not secured their top-flight status and has endured a poor run of 16 games without a win, according to betevé.
Despite recent form, the team has pledged to give everything to remain in the First Division next season. Three of their final five matches will be played at the RCDE Stadium in Cornellà-El Prat, with two away games. The support of their home crowd is expected to be a positive factor in their efforts.
Key Matches Ahead
Espanyol will host Real Madrid at the RCDE Stadium this Sunday, 3 May. Madrid needs a win to keep their slim title hopes alive, presenting a formidable challenge for the home side. A week later, on Saturday, 9 May, Espanyol will travel to the Sánchez Pizjuán to face Sevilla. Sevilla is currently 18th in the league, occupying a relegation spot, which suggests a tense and high-stakes encounter for both teams.
The 36th matchday will see Athletic Club visit Cornellà-El Prat. Athletic Club, with 41 points, could be safe from relegation by then, potentially offering Espanyol an opportunity to secure a vital victory for their own survival. The penultimate league match will take Manolo González's side to El Sadar, a notoriously difficult ground to play at and gain points. Osasuna is expected to be safe and might be competing for a European qualification spot.
Final Game and Recent Form
The final matchday could be particularly dramatic, with Espanyol hosting Real Sociedad. Real Sociedad has already secured their place in the league and, having won the Copa del Rey, will play in the Europa League next season. This suggests they may not have much to play for, which could either benefit Espanyol or lead to an unpredictable game.
Nerves have been evident in recent performances, with imprecision and errors seen against Celta Vigo. Espanyol's poor form since the start of the year has yielded only 6 points from a possible 48, a dynamic that has affected Manolo González's players. The bottom of the league table is very tight, and the usual safety threshold of 42 points might not be enough this season. Espanyol, currently on 39 points, cannot afford to be complacent and must aim to secure their survival as soon as possible, according to betevé.
