ESPANYOL TICKETS v REAL BETIS: NO PLACE LIKE HOME

After the joy of winning the Copa Del Rey, Espanyol were brought quickly down to earth with a bump as they were hammered by Valencia last weekend and given a stark reminder of just how much trouble they are in. Lifting the cup in such convincing style was a marvellous achievement and has made the campaign a great success and given the club a second consecutive season of European football next term, but it could still all end in disaster unless things are turned around.
The Parakeets currently lie just one point, and two places, above the drop zone and with the three teams directly below them, Mallorca, Alaves and Cadiz, all continuing to pick up points here and there a victory is required.
Two home games in ten days give Miguel Angel Lotina’s side the perfect chance to leap clear of the pack as things are very tight right up to 12th place.
In the 12th spot sit Real Betis, who visit the Estadi Olimpic this weekend and are there to be beaten. teams actually playing worse than they are. With only two victories on their travels this term the Andalucians will not fancy this scrap and Lotina will have had seven days to drum into his players how winning the cup will count for nothing if Espanyol are playing second division football next term. If three points are garnered against Betis then a second victory at home could be on the cards when Deportivo visit for a midweek fixture.
Joaquin Caparros’ outfit do have a very good record away from home, but have been terribly inconsistent throughout the campaign. If Espanyol de Barcelona can take their performance against Zaragoza in the cup final and use the spark and resilience they showed in to the league then survival should be assured. At this stage of the season the key is to take every chance in front of goal and not worry about how good the build-up may be. In the final Espanyol took their chances, while Zaragoza dominated the midfield play and it was an effective strategy. Against Valencia last weekend, the Parakeets’ luck ran out as they fell behind to a non-existent penalty before seeing Edu Costa sent off. Both strokes of bad luck saw the confidence drain from the team and they went on to concede three more goals to lose 4-0. “S It will have been a lesson and one that has not come too late as the battle to stay is set to go to the final day.

Llorenc Serra Ferrer’s side have endured a torrid season, having qualified for the Champions League at the end of last term,
and must be thankful that there are several