Espanyol vs Atletico de Madrid preview - Stopper predicts Espanyol improvement

Espanyol goalkeeper Cristian Alvarez insists it is only a matter of time before his team's fortunes improve following a run of five Primera Division games without a win.

Mauricio Pochettino's side host Atletico Madrid on the back of two straight defeats and have taken just two points from the last 15.

That run has dropped the club down to 10th, two places and two points behind their opponents.

But Alvarez claims he and his team-mates are not losing faith.

"There have been situations in recent games where the results have not gone in our favour, but we are staying calm and confident that we are doing things the right way," he told a press conference.

Espanyol have lost 2-1 to Osasuna and Valencia in their last two outings, but Alvarez says it is important to continue to look forward.

"I understand the game is important, as was the Valencia and as Tuesday's Copa del Rey match (against Celta Vigo) will be, but the team are playing good football and the results will come," the keeper added.

Things are not going much better for Atletico, who go into the game following an embarrassing cup exit at the hands of lower league Albacete.

Their form in the league has also been mixed of late, with victories over Levante and Rayo Vallecano interspersed with losses at Getafe and Real Madrid.

Indeed, Atletico have not won away from home in the league so far this season, having lost five of their six games on the road.