Espanyol vs Villarreal preview - Rukavina seeks end to losing run

Villarreal defender Antonio Rukavina admits his team's confidence is low following three consecutive defeats, but is hopeful of bringing that run to an end at Espanyol on Sunday.

The Yellow Submarine suffered a last-gasp 2-1 defeat at Sevilla a fortnight ago and then lost the local derby with Valencia 3-1, a result followed by a 3-2 reverse to FC Zurich in the Europa League.

"Three defeats in a row is hard to take for a team like ours," Rukavina said at a press conference, published on the club's official website.

"In the two league games we played well but we have not been getting the results and that digs away at your morale. It is not easy to find an explanation for what is happening, because the team has gone from being so secure to suffering too much in the area."

Villarreal's next opponents Espanyol are also in a rut, taking just a point from their last three games, but Rukavina does not see that necessarily as an advantage.

"It will be a very demanding game, because Espanyol are going through bad times and also need the points," the Serbia international added.

"I'm very optimistic, this is just a bad moment for us and we are going to get out of it soon. We should be concerned, but not desperate, so it would be good for us to win our next game and straighten things out."

Villarreal are still without defenders Bojan Jokic and Mateo Musacchio, while veteran midfielder Cani is doubtful.

Espanyol will be without left-back Alvaro Gonzalez through suspension, while midfielder Paco Montanes is a doubt due to a hamstring strain and Manuel Lanzarote is unlikely to recover from a shoulder injury in time for the game.

Espanyol captain Sergio Garcia insists the team's spirits remain high in spite of recent results, and the fact they have only scored once in their last three games.

"Sometimes you need that bit of luck and once the first goal goes in, many more will go in," he told a press conference.

"I hope that happens on Sunday. We are not anxious because we know sooner or later the goals will arrive. We are not worried despite the last two results, but we want to change course against Villarreal.

"It's vital to get three more points so we can go into the international break feeling more at ease. That would be a step forward."