Espanyol vs Zaragoza preview - Aranda out to improve

Real Zaragoza forward Carlos Aranda is confident the team will soon be up and running in the Primera Division despite losing their season opener.

Manuel Jimenez's side suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Real Valladolid last weekend, and will be aiming to improve on that when they travel to Espanyol.

Although Aranda feels the Barcelona club will provide tricky opposition, he sees no reason why Zaragoza should fear the trip to the Estadi Cornella-El Prat.

"The team are on track, we are training well and the wins will come," he told the club's official website.

"It will be a very difficult game because Espanyol are a team which plays the ball well.

"There are similar to Valladolid in some respects, although they maybe move the ball around quicker.

"However, I hope we do well and bring home the three points."

Injured duo Glenn Loovens and Ivan Obradovic remain sidelined for Zaragoza.

Espanyol also began the new campaign on a losing note, going down 2-1 to Real Mallorca.

However, the arrival of Simao Sabrosa this week should give cause for optimism in Mauricio Pochettino's squad, with the Portuguese winger set to make his debut against Zaragoza.

"Pochettino has told me what he expects from me and I told him what I can offer the team," Sabrosa said at his unveiling to the media.

"I've come here to help and hopefully together we can have a great season."

Raul Baena, Sergio Garcia and Diego Colotto will once again miss the clash because of foot injuries sustained during pre-season.