Espanyol's home energy and wide delivery meet a Deportivo attack that has supplied chances from several roles. Espanyol's recent lead defence has been effective, but its second clean attacking chance has been scarce. Deportivo's wide entries and later set-piece actions make the next box sequence the central contest.
Zaragoza found Cabrera for Espanyol's winner at Villarreal, where Fortuño and the back line then protected the lead. Deportivo's Yeremay and Mella created early box access against Osasuna, before Soriano's short free kick and a late cross and rebound supplied further goals. Its attack also reached the box repeatedly at Atlético despite the defeat.
Espanyol's Hinojo played at Villarreal before the booking that now suspends him; Urko missed that match and remains injured. Deportivo's Aubameyang returned for a short substitute spell against Osasuna and contributed to the late winner. Casadó has traveled after missing that game, so his older absence listing is stale. The projected shapes under Sarabia remain estimates.
Deportivo can absorb the opening home spell and renew its attack through either flank and a later dead ball. I expect that repeated supply to produce the more decisive finish, so I'm siding with Deportivo.
