Eibar vs Espanyol - No more excuses for Eibar

Relegation-threatened Eibar will approach their final three games of the season with some trepidation as they try to preserve their Primera Division status.

The Basque minnows are just one place and one point clear of the drop zone ahead of Friday's home game against Espanyol.

Eibar have won just one of their last 17 league games and Sunday's 3-1 defeat at Valencia was their fifth straight loss.

"For some time now we have spoken about important games, but there are no more excuses," Eibar midfielder Jon Errasti said to Marca newspaper. "This is the time to win and to clinch points in order to remain in the Primera Division.

"We have done the numbers but our final three games need to be approached as if there was no tomorrow.

"These are the three most important games in the history of the club."

Eibar enjoyed an impressive start to their maiden season in La Liga and were eighth in the standings on January 10.

Gaizka Garitano's side have won just one and lost 14 of their 17 games since.

Errati believes a win on Friday would be a huge boost in confidence in view of his team's final two games.

Eibar travel to Getafe on May 17 and end the campaign at home to already-relegated Cordoba a week later.

"Against Espanyol, we need to show that we are hungrier to win than them," Errati said. "Espanyol still have the option to qualify for Europe but we are playing for our lives.

"This is the first of three crucial games and we need to win at all costs."

Espanyol travel to a sold-out Ipurua stadium in 10th place, just two points adrift of Athletic Bilbao, who are seventh and hold the last Europa League qualifying spot.

The Barcelona-based club was held to a 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday to miss a chance to go level on 48 points with Athletic.

Sergio Gonzalez's side have lost just one of their last 11 league games and are unbeaten on the road since March 8.

"We want to maintain or hope of playing in Europe next season by winning our last three games even if we know it's going to be difficult," Espanyol right-back Anaitz Arbilla said.