Sporting Gijon 1 - 0 Espanyol

Espanyol hoping to bounce back

Updated: November 7, 2009, 1:16 PM UK

Espanyol will look to put the disappointment of conceding a last-minute draw at home to Real Valladolid last weekend behind them and extend their unbeaten league run to eight games against in-form Sporting Gijon.

Espanyol led Valladolid 1-0 deep into added time last Sunday, but the Catalans were pegged back by a Haris Medunjanin wonder-strike and had to settle for a point at Cornella-El Prat.

Nevertheless, Mauricio Pochettino's men remain unbeaten in the league since losing their first two matches and striker Jose Callejon hopes the Barcelona-based side can continue that impressive streak with a positive result tomorrow.

"Our intention is to go to Gijon and win the three points to prolong the good run we are having,'' he said.

"Away from hope we are standing up to teams and even though they (Sporting) are in good form, we expect to pick up a positive result from what is a difficult ground to go to,'' he said.

Following their recent good run of form, Espanyol have risen to eighth place in the Primera Division ahead of tomorrow's game.

But midfielder Joan Verdu is keen to erase the memory of last weekend's stumble against Valladolid.

"It hurt us more than anybody not to win that game and we still have that discomfort from dropping those two points,'' he said.

And he added: "We want to put that right with a victory in this match.''

Striker Raul Tamudo has been left out of the squad once again as his contract dispute with the club drags on.

Veteran playmaker Ivan De La Pena has been called up by Pochettino, but the former Barcelona star is doubtful with a calf problem and is very unlikely to start against Sporting.

Full-back David Garcia misses out with gastritis, but Nico Pareja is back from suspension and will start in central defence.

Espanyol have 13 points from their nine matches and are currently behind seventh-placed Sporting on goal difference alone.

The Asturian outfit have enjoyed a positive start to the new campaign - their second back in the top-flight - and, like Espanyol, have lost just two matches so far in the league this season.

The northerners have held Real Madrid and Deportivo La Coruna in their last two league matches, and are yet to taste defeat at El Molinon this term.

Croatian striker Mate Bilic is set to come in for the suspended David Barral up front.

In midfield, Michel is missing through injury, meaning coach Manuel Preciado must decide between Sergio Matabuena and Diego Camacho.

Preciado hopes Sporting can continue their recent good run tomorrow.

"We have done well lately and we want to keep up our good run against a very competitive Espanyol team,'' he said.

"But we know it will be another very tough match.''