Elche vs Espanyol preview - Escriba sees the positives

Posted Sunday, November 02, 2014 by PA

Elche coach Fran Escriba believes his team have every chance of ending their six-game winless streak when they host Espanyol on Sunday.

The Alicante side may be second bottom of the Primera Division but Escriba is confident going into the game.

The Elche boss rates the Catalan outfit - but also believes their tactics could play into his side's hands.

He told a press conference: "Espanyol are a well armed team that play good football and have very dangerous strikers, so I expect it will be a very tight and we'll have to work very hard.

"Espanyol have good positional play, and nearly everything they do, they do well, but their way of playing isn't bad for us."

Elche lost 3-1 at Valencia last weekend and were beaten 2-0 by Sevilla before then, but Escriba does not believe his team played badly in either game.

"The way to beat Espanyol is to do what we have been doing in our last two games, but to take our chances in front of goal," he said.

"We are very excited about the game and I hope that's what happens. I'm very calm in spite of the depressing messages we are getting about the situation we are in."

Goalkeeper Manu Herrera has been ruled out of the game with a shoulder injury, meaning Przemyslaw Tyton returns to the side for the first time in six weeks.

Midfielder Aaron Niguez has recovered from injury and could make his first appearance of the season.

Espanyol welcome back captain and talisman Sergio Garcia from injury but midfielder Victor Sanchez is suspended.