Espanyol vs Sevilla preview - Lopez not worried by dip in form

Posted Saturday, November 09, 2013 by PA

Espanyol full-back Javi Lopez has insisted he is not concerned by the team's dip in form.

Javier Aguirre's side have taken just four points in their last seven games, losing 1-0 to local rivals Barcelona last time out, and will look to return to wining ways when they host Sevilla on Sunday morning.

"Over a season you go through different spells and right now we're in a bad spell," said Lopez in a press conference.

"But against Barcelona we put in a spirited performance, and that's what we'll do against Sevilla from the start.

"The team are playing well, even though results haven't been going our way."

The Catalans have slipped down to 11th in the Primera Division table as a result of their poor run, but three points against Unai Emery's men could see them climb four places and end the weekend in 7th.

"This game is the most important of the season, not just because the next game is always the most important - it is vital," added Lopez.

"If things go well for us we'll take a huge step up in the league table."

By the time the game comes around, Espanyol will have had over eight days' rest since their last match, in contrast to Sevilla, who drew 1-1 with Czech side Liberec in the Europa League on Thursday, allowing them little more than two days' rest to recover before heading to the Catalan capital.

Sevilla are two points and three league places behind Espanyol and a win would lift them above Aguirre's side.

However, Emery's side have still not won an away match in the league for over a year and go into the game on the back of two dire results, a 7-3 hammering at the hands of Real Madrid and a 1-0 defeat at home to strugglers Celta.

Their task will be made harder due to the absence of the suspended midfielder Stephane M'bia, while Piotr Trowchowki and French striker Kevin Gameiro are both doubts owing to injuries.