ESPANYOL NEWS

Sergi Darder - Creates two chances in loss Darder created two chances from five crosses (two accurate) and put one shot off target during Thursday's 1-0 loss to Osasuna.

Impact Darder was asked to play more as a forward during Thursday's contest and maintained his consistent production with a sixth chance created in his last three matches. As his role didn't chance much in a different formation and with Martin Braithwaite back in the lineup, Darder can be counted on for reliable value, though it hasn't been too exceptional with one assist and one goal in 10 starts.

OCTOBER 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Joselu - Takes one shot in loss Joselu put one shot on target during Thursday's 1-0 loss to Osasuna.

Impact Joselu failed to score after netting four in his previous three starts. He hasn't gone more than one game in a row without scoring all season, so it's unlikely Joselu can be held back from the scoresheet for long.

OCTOBER 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sergi Darder - Launches six crosses Darder tallied six crosses (zero accurate), and three corners in Sunday's 1-0 victory versus Valladolid.

Impact Darder completed yet another game with multiple crosses completed in a match. He has totaled at least more than two crosses every match so far this season. The Spaniard is in peak form of late with a goal, an assist, 32 crosses (seven accurate), 20 corners and 13 tackles (five won) in the last five matches.

OCTOBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Vinicius de Souza Costa - Seven tackles in win Vinicius Souza logged in seven tackles (seven won), one clearance, and one interception in Sunday's 1-0 win over Valladolid.

Impact Souza had an astounding performance with a season high of tackles while winning each one. He has been exceptional in getting down tackles with 31 tackles (23 won), which gives him an average of 3.4 tackles (2.5 won) per game. The Brazilian has been in top shape in the defensive midfield none the less with a total of 20 tackles (17 won), 11 interceptions and eight clearances in the last five matches.

OCTOBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Brian Olivan - Assists in win Brian Olivan assisted once to go with one shot (zero on target), four crosses (one accurate), and one chance created in Sunday's 1-0 win over Valladolid.

Impact Olivan's cross to the top of the six-yard box was successful as Joselu got his head on it to give Espanyol the game-winner on Sunday. He has assisted in two games in a row now. The 28-year-old has been in incredible form of late with a total of two assists, 27 crosses (10 accurate), 10 chances created, and eight clearancess in the last five matches.

OCTOBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Joselu - Nets in game-winner Joselu scored one goal to go with five shots (one on target) and one cross (one accurate) in Sunday's 1-0 victory over Valladolid.

Impact Joselu was the hero in the match by netting in his seventh goal of the season to give Espanyol the victory on Sunday. He has been on a scoring tear of late with five goals in the last five matches. The 32-year-old never fails to take his opportunities in front of the net by bringing his average shots per game to 3.4 (1.4 on target). He will look to keep this momentum going with a trip to Osasuna on Thursday, who have allowed eight goals in the last eight matches.

OCTOBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Benjamin Lecomte - First clean sheet of season Lecomte had two saves in Sunday's 1-0 victory against Valladolid.

Impact Lecomte got his second straight start and was superb to give him his first clean sheet on the year. Since being sent off against Real Madrid on Aug 28, the Frenchman has been absent from the starting XI with Alvaro Fernandez getting the notch in goal. Both goalkeepers have struggled this season as Lecomte has already conceded eight goals in five appearances thus far. After this clean sheet, look for Lecomte to make another start next match against Osasuna on Thursday, who have scored nine goals in the last eight matches.

OCTOBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nicolas Melamed Ribaudo - Makes bench Sunday Melamed (thigh) made the bench for Sunday's match against Real Valladolid.

Impact Melamed won't miss any matches after picking up a suspected thigh injury that forced him off in the first half of the last match against Cadiz. As he's still unable to start, Javi Puado gets the chance to play from kickoff.

OCTOBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nicolas Melamed Ribaudo - Still in doubt Melamed (thigh) is considered a doubt to play in Sunday's match against Valladolid, according to La Grada.

Impact Melamed picked up a thigh issue 37 minutes into his first start in almost two months and now may miss out entirely. Should that happen, Javi Puado looks even more likely to start Sunday.

OCTOBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Joselu - Records two goals Joselu scored two goals during a 2-2 draw against Cadiz on Sunday.

Impact Joselu logged the two goals using an accurate cross by Brian Olivan and a setup pass from Eduardo Exposito. The striker improved his 2022-23 La Liga goal tally to six across eight appearances. Currently, he is Espanyol's most reliable fantasy option.

OCTOBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Edu Exposito - Records assist Exposito logged one assist during a 2-2 draw against Cadiz on Sunday.

Impact Exposito created multiple chances, one of which was a superb set-up pass that Joselu used to score. The former Eibar footballer has two goals and an assist since transferring.

OCTOBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Brian Olivan - Records assist Olivan logged one assist during a 2-2 draw against Cadiz on Sunday.

Impact Olivan logged one accurate cross, which was enough for teammate Joselu to score Espanyol's first of two goals. The left-back has his first assist since transferring from Mallorca.

OCTOBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Benjamin Lecomte - Allows two goals Lecomte conceded two goals during a 2-2 draw against Cadiz on Sunday.

Impact Lecomte played in place of Alvaro Fernandez. However, the backup allowed a goal from both Victor Chust and Lucas Perez without logging multiple saves to compensate.

OCTOBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Jose Carlos Lazo - Late entry in draw Lazo logged 14 minutes off the bench during Sunday's 2-2 draw with Cadiz.

Impact Lazo returned after missing three consecutive games due to a muscular injury. With three appearances made off the bench, Lazo isn't likely to play much more than a rotational role.

OCTOBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Oscar Regano - Comes off bench in draw Gil logged three minutes off the bench and conceded a yellow card during Sunday's 2-2 draw with Cadiz.

Impact Gil returned after a two match absence and didn't need long to concede a fourth yellow card in six appearances (five starts). Despite his disciplinary issues, expect Gil to return to the lineup at right-back now that he's fit.

OCTOBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nicolas Melamed Ribaudo - Picks up injury Melamed departed after 37 minutes of Sunday's 2-2 draw with Cadiz with a potential muscular injury, according to La Grada.

Impact Melamed was making a rare start while Martin Braithwaite was suspended but picked up an injury himself. Javi Puado could take Melamed's place in the lineup if needed as Braitwaite is also suspended for Sunday's match against Valladolid.

OCTOBER 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Fernando Calero - Starting Sunday Calero (strain) made the starting lineup for Sunday's match against Cadiz.

Impact Calero sticks in the starting lineup despite missing a bit of training during the week. He's started in four of the last five matches and will likely play as a center-back while Aleix Vidal and Nico Melamed man the right flank.

OCTOBER 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Aleix Vidal - Logs 45 minutes in draw Vidal played for the second half of Sunday's 2-2 draw with Valencia.

Impact Though expecting to leave Espanyol in the summer, Vidal remains with the club and now has appearances in each of the last two matches. The current injury situation could lead Vidal to play a bigger role in the side ahead of the World Cup.

OCTOBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Fernando Calero - No guarantees to play Sunday Calero (strain) is considered a doubt to play in Sunday's trip to Cadiz, according to La Grada.

Impact Calero picked up a knock late into Sunday's 2-2 draw with Valencia and is struggling to recover his fitness. In his absence, Nico Melamed could be asked to play out of position unless Aleix Vidal gets the start at right-back.

OCTOBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Martin Braithwaite - Suspended for two games Braithwaite had his suspension extended to two games following his dismissal in Sunday's 2-2 draw with Valencia, according to the RFEF.

Impact Braithwaite has been a key member of the starting lineup since his arrival from Barcelona, scoring twice and logging one assist in four games. Now that he's suspended for contests against Cadiz and Valladolid, the scoring emphasis will fall squarely on the shoulders of Joselu and either Dani Gomez or Nico Melamed might get a longer chance to play.

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Madrid's perfect season ends as Benzema misses penalty kick

It hasn't been the return to action that Karim Benzema had hoped for

OCTOBER 2, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sergi Gomez - Records five clearances Gomez logged in five clearances and one interception in Sunday's 2-2 tie against Valencia.

Impact Gomez was top-notch again in the back with another day of recording five clearances. He now brings his average to 3.4 clearances a match. Since returning from red card suspension, the Spaniard defender has totaled 14 clearances, five interceptions and three blocks in the last three matches.

OCTOBER 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sergi Darder - Records first goal of season Darder scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal), eight crosses (three accurate), and five corners in Sunday's 2-2 tie versus Valencia.

Impact Darder finally scored his first goal of the campaign with a right footed shot outside the box. He has been an extraordinary player for Espanyol this season with his distribution of the ball to the attack. The Spaniard already has 45 crosses on the campaign and has brought up his average crosses a game to 6.4.

OCTOBER 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Joselu - Scores in draw Joselu scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Sunday's 2-2 tie to Valencia.

Impact Joselu scored Espanyol's first goal of the match with a brilliant curling shot into the net. He has been picking up the pace lately with his second goal in three matches. The German forward also loves to take his opportunities in front of the net with a total of four goals on 23 shots (nine on target) this season so far.

OCTOBER 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Álvaro Fernández - Beaten twice in draw Alvaro Fernandez made three saves and a clearance but conceded two goals in Sunday's 2-2 tie to Valencia.

Impact It has not been a great run of games for Fernandez of late as he conceded another two goals on Sunday. He has now conceded seven goals in the last three matches. The 24-year-old will look to get his form together with a trip to Cadiz next Sunday, who have only scored one goal in seven matches.

OCTOBER 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE