Espanyol is divided between two against their direct rivals

Espanyol scratch perfection, at least during the first round, when it is their turn to face teams from the lower-middle zone of the Second Division. Even with some – not all – of those who are running to fight to climb. But your big must this season, the only factor that has prevented the parakeet team from flying solo at the top from the table in parallel to your budget, it is your general ineffectiveness against direct rivals.

The data is devastating. In their disputes against adversaries who are currently from the seventh downwards, Espanyol has so far scored 74.5 percent of the points, or what is the same, 38 points in 17 games. Performance level drops up to half when measured with teams currently occupying positions for direct promotion or promotion: seven points in six games, that is, 38.8 percent of the possible ones. Accumulate as many defeats Vicente Moreno's team against the first six as against the other 16 squads of the category: three and three.

Last Sunday's defeat against Rayo Vallecano, in an unusual comeback (2-3), reveals that lack, which It has already cost him the leadership and to stay –or to win the match that Almería has pending– it could cost Espanyol a place for direct promotion no matter how much before the rest of rivals he does comply with more than enough.

The Franjirrojos have won both games against the Blue and Whites, in Vallecas 1-0. Against Mallorca, whom they meet again on Sunday the 14th, they tied on the second day at Cornellà (0-0). Y Leganés gave a severe corrective to the parakeets in Butarque (2-0). In favor they count the triumphs against Almería (2-1), in a very close match with a goal from Raúl de Tomás and a penalty, and against Sporting de Gijón (2-0), this most unappealable.