Overview
Real Oviedo currently have a record of 2 wins and 6 losses in the first 8 matches of La Liga. With 6 points, they are 17th - right in the relegation zone, only 1 point above bottom team Mallorca.
The team has just returned to the Spanish top flight after a 22-year absence, after qualifying for promotion through the Second Division play-off round last season. Los Azules' goal this season is to ensure a safe position, at least the 17th.
Coach Veljko Paunovic was sacked after a 2-0 defeat to Levante at home, and Luis Carrion returned to lead Oviedo. Carrion, who previously managed the team from September 2023 to June 2024 with 20 wins in 42 games, returned to the bench after leaving Las Palmas in October 2024.
In the history of the confrontation, Los Azules have won 28 out of 85 matches against Espanyol. The last time they met at Estadio Carlos Tartiere was in June 2024, Oviedo won 1-0.
Espanyol have had a fairly stable start to the season, earning 12 points after 8 matches with 3 wins, 3 draws and 2 losses.
The Catalan team is currently 9th in the La Liga rankings, but their recent form has declined somewhat when they have only won 2 points in the last 4 matches. They shared points with Girona and Valencia, and lost to Real Madrid and Real Betis.
Before the international break, Espanyol lost 1-2 at home to Real Betis, so the goal of returning to victory will be a top priority when they visit Oviedo this weekend.
Last season, Espanyol finished 14th in La Liga, so there is still a lot of room for them to improve. They won their first victory after the international break in September, a 3-2 victory over Mallorca.
The last time Espanyol met Oviedo in La Liga was in March 2001, when the two teams drew 2-2. In the last 9 matches against Oviedo, Espanyol have only lost one match, showing that they often have positive results against this opponent.
Personnel situation
Oviedo will welcome back Luka Ilic, after the 26-year-old was absent from the Levante game ahead of the international break due to suspension.
Alvaro Lemos is still sidelined with a knee injury, but the home team hopes Nacho Vidal will recover from a hamstring injury in time to play at right-back.
Salomon Rondon, who scored his first goal of the season in the win over Valencia at the end of September, will continue to take on the striker role.
As for Espanyol, Javi Puado will be absent until December due to injury, but the Catalan team is still in good form ahead of the match with Oviedo.
Coach Gonzalez may only make one change compared to the starting lineup against Real Betis. Puado's absence is expected to open up opportunities for Urko Gonzalez to play from the start.
Pere Milla, with impressive form this season when scoring 3 goals in 6 matches, will be a notable player in the starting lineup of the away team. Meanwhile, Roberto Fernandez continues to take on an important role in the attack.
Expected lineup:
Real Oviedo: Escandell, Vidal, Carmo, Bailly, Alhassane, Colombatto, Dendoncker, Hassan, Ilic, Chaira, Rondon.
Espanyol: Dmitrovic, El Hilali, Riedel, Cabrera, Romero, Gonzalez, Lozano, Dolan, Exposito, Milla, Fernandez.
The match between Real Oviedo and Espanyol takes place at 2:00 am on October 18 (Vietnam time).
