Espanyol vs Deportivo La Coruna preview - Colotto hopes for home win
Posted Thursday, December 20, 2012 by PA
Espanyol entertain Deportivo La Coruna in an encounter that will determine which of the two strugglers will prop up the Primera Division over the winter break.
Both clubs are on seven-match winless runs in league and cup and are locked together on 12 points, with Espanyol's better goal difference currently keeping them from the ignominy of last place at Depor's expense.
Espanyol have shown some signs of recovery in recent weeks, drawing their last three matches under new coach Javier Aguirre, including an encouraging 2-2 draw against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Espanyol defender Diego Colotto faces his former employers this weekend and hopes home-field advantage will help to secure an overdue victory.
He said: "We try to win every game that we play and being at home must be a positive point for us.
"We want to go into the break with a win and continue our improvement. It's the first final. The objective is survival."
The hosts will be without Cristian Alvarez as he continues to struggle with a hamstring problem, so Aguirre has drafted in German Parreno as cover.
Deportivo coach Jose Luis Oltra received good news when it was confirmed striker Riki had shrugged off a knock and would be fit for the game.
"He's ready to play," Oltra said of the 32-year-old.
Defender Ze Castro will not make the trip to the Estadi Cornella-El Prat after he picked up a calf injury.
"I was not sure and we did not want to take any chances," said Oltra.
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