/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.footballwhispers.com%2Fmain%2F2025%2F10%2FEspanyol-predictions-PGS-Photo-Agency-scaled-e1760591294164.jpg)
Espanyol and Elche will lock horns at RCDE Stadium in the seventh round of La Liga on Friday.
The hosts are eyeing a return to winning ways after a disappointing run of results.
Elche, meanwhile, are still hunting for their first win of the season.
Read our Espanyol vs Elche prediction, preview and betting tips below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Espanyol vs Elche key stats
- At least three goals were scored in seven of Espanyol's last nine matches.
- Elche's last four games have all featured goals at both ends.
- The last seven H2Hs have all gone above the 4.5-card threshold.
Espanyol vs Elche preview: Goals expected to flow
Espanyol vs Elche — Tale of the Tape
| Espanyol | vs | Elche |
|---|---|---|
| 8th | Position | 20th |
| 7 | Points | 2 |
| 9 | Goals For | 8 |
| 7 | Goals Against | 12 |
| 2 | Clean Sheets | 0 |
| 10th | Home / Away Rank | 13th |
*These figures were accurate at the time of publishing.
Espanyol suffered a 2-1 defeat at Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday. The Catalan side have struggled for consistency, winning only two of their six league matches this season.
With seven points earned from a possible 18, Manolo Gonzalez's troops are eighth in the Spanish top flight, three points behind the league's UEFA Conference League play-off spot.
Interestingly, the hosts have scored nine goals in La Liga this season, and six of those have come from Roberto Fernandez; the 24-year-old forward is expected to lead the line once again, with support from Javier Hernandez, who has four assists to his name.
No team has conceded more goals than Elche in La Liga this season.
Jofre Carreras (groin) and Javi Puado (ligament) are both unavailable for selection alongside Omar El Hilali, who is suspended following his sending-off against Rayo earlier this week.
On the other hand, Elche are coming off a heartbreaking 3-2 home defeat against Real Madrid.
They rallied late with two second-half goals to wipe out a two-goal deficit, only to be crushed by a stoppage-time winner from Carlos Espi.
With that in mind, Martin Anselmi's men are one of four winless sides in La Liga, which is concerning for a team that scored at least twice in three of their last four matches.
With only two points earned from six league outings, Elche find themselves at the bottom of the table.
Adam Boayar remains the only absentee for the visitors as he continues to recover from a muscular injury.
Espanyol have averaged fewer corners than any other team in the Spanish top flight this term.
Fernando Nino came off the bench to score against Real Madrid on Tuesday. The former Villarreal forward has found the net in three of Elche's last four matches and is expected to reclaim his spot in the starting XI for this clash.
Espanyol are unbeaten in six consecutive meetings between these teams and have not lost to Elche since January 2022. The Catalan side also came out on top in the last two H2Hs at this stadium.
Espanyol vs Elche form guide & betting tips
| Espanyol | vs | Elche |
|---|---|---|
L
L
D
W
L
|
La Liga Form |
L
L
L
D
L
|
| 4 | Points | 1 |
| 15th | Form Table | 20th |
| 6 | Goals For | 7 |
| 7 | Goals Against | 15 |
L
L
D
W
L
|
Form (All Comps) |
L
L
L
D
L
|
Whispers Predicts: Espanyol 3-2 Elche
Priced at 10/11 (1.91), Espanyol are considered favourites by the bookmakers.
Elche have lost four of their last five games, and considering their poor track record against Espanyol in recent years, we are confident that the hosts will claim all the spoils here.
Interestingly, four of Elche's last five outings were five-goal thrillers, so over 4.5 total goals at 23/5 (5.60) could be worth a punt.
We also fancy a 3-2 correct score at 26/1 (27.00). Elche lost three of their last four matches by the same scoreline.
> Over 4.5 total goals at 23/5 (5.60) | Likelihood: Possible
> BTTS – Yes at 3/4 (1.75) | Likelihood: Probable
> Match result: Espanyol at 10/11 (1.91) | Likelihood: Probable
> Espanyol & BTTS – Yes at 27/10 (3.70) | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct Score: 3-2 at 26/1 (27.00) | Likelihood: Outsider