Espanyol - Eibar preview - Fuentes wary of Eibar threat

Espanyol defender Juan Fuentes insists his side will not take Eibar for granted when they visit the Power8 stadium on Sunday.

The Basque outfit have exceeded all expectations in their maiden season in the Primera Division and occupy ninth place in the table, level on points with Espanyol, ahead of the weekend fixtures.

"If we go out onto the pitch thinking that they are just a newly-promoted team then they could beat us," warned Fuentes in a press conference, quoted by Marca.

"At the start of the season everyone thought they would be down near the bottom of the league, but they have taken everyone by surprise. They know exactly how they want to play from the first minute until the 90th. We must respect our opponents and give everything."

The Catalans ended 2014 on a high by beating Rayo Vallecano in Madrid to pick up their first La Liga away win of the season, and Fuentes spoke of the importance of that victory, declaring: "Finally winning away from home was essential for us, because we were really struggling to win away."

However, Sergio Gonzalez's side will be without two of their main attacking threats when they face Eibar, with both Christian Stuani and Lucas Vazquez - who have notched a combined eight goals and three assists this term - suspended for the game. Defender Eric Bailly also misses out as he has been called up by the Ivory Coast for the upcoming African Nations Cup.

Eibar will also be missing key personnel, with striker Mikel Arruabarrena and defender Raul Albentosa suspended after accumulating five yellow cards each.

However, new arrival Borja Fernandez could make his debut for the Basque side after signing from Indian Super League champions Atletico de Kolkata.

The 33-year-old midfielder began his career with Real Madrid but later spent four-year spells with Real Valladolid and Getafe.