Form and context

Racing Santander sit 14th in La Liga and have taken just one point from their last four matches, though three of those were away from home. Espanyol are 13th, one point above the relegation places, and have gone four league games without a win: defeats to Rayo Vallecano, Elche and Atletico Madrid plus a draw at Malaga. Both sides are direct rivals in the fight against relegation.

Team news

• Racing Santander: Pedro Felipe left Wednesday's session early after a knock to his right thigh and did not complete training. Simon Eriksson is still recovering from a right shoulder tendinopathy and looks more likely to be ready for the midweek Copa del Rey tie. Pablo Garcia, rested against Valencia and Osasuna, is a probable change, with Andre Almeida the player most likely to drop out.
• Espanyol: No confirmed team news yet.

What the numbers say

• Racing's last five in all competitions: 0-2 loss at Osasuna, 2-2 with Valencia, 0-5 loss at Celta Vigo, 2-7 loss at Barcelona, 2-1 win over Alaves.
• Espanyol's last five in all competitions: 0-1 loss to Atletico Madrid, 1-1 at Malaga, 1-3 loss to Elche, 1-2 loss at Rayo Vallecano, 2-0 win at Osasuna.
• Racing average 1.7 goals scored and 2.6 conceded across their last 10; Espanyol average 1.2 scored and 1.3 conceded.
• The head to head is split: Racing Santander won 2-0 in February 2024, Espanyol won 2-0 in August 2023.

Our view

Racing have been leaking goals but are stronger at El Sardinero, where their home points have kept them out of the bottom three. Espanyol have lost four points to goals conceded beyond the 90th minute in recent games and have won only twice in the league all season. With Manolo Gonzalez under pressure and a Copa del Rey trip to Sestao River following this match, Espanyol may play cautiously.

Most likely outcome: draw - two relegation-threatened teams in poor runs, with Espanyol's recent habit of dropping late points.