MATCHDAY: Mane back with Liverpool, AC Milan eying top spot
Liverpool will look to trim the deficit to English Premier League leader Manchester City back to nine points with a win at BurnleyFEBRUARY 12, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
ESPANYOL 3-1-9 · 19TH IN LALIGA · RELEGATION
3-1-9 · 19TH IN LALIGA · RELEGATION
Madrid's Benzema doubtful for Villarreal ahead of PSG clash
Real Madrid is hoping Karim Benzema will be fit to play in next week’s highly anticipated clash with Paris Saint-GermainFEBRUARY 10, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Athletic beats Espanyol 2-1 to move closer to European spots
Athletic Bilbao has moved closer to the European qualification places in the Spanish league with a 2-1 win over EspanyolFEBRUARY 7, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Diego Lopez - Concedes two in loss Lopez conceded two goals and made two saves during Monday's 2-1 loss to Athletic Club.
Impact Lopez was helped to an early lead thanks to Tonny Vilhena but conceded two of his own in the first half to eventually lose the result. Following Monday's defeat, Lopez has conceded eight goals and lost all three of his starts in 2022. This isn't an ideal position to be in before Sunday's derby against Barcelona.
FEBRUARY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Nany Dimata - Takes one shot in loss Dimata took one shot in 63 minutes of Monday's 2-1 loss to Athletic Club.
Impact Dimata started for the first time since Oct. 31 due to the suspension of Raul de Tomas and didn't do much to take advantage of an increase in minutes. With de Tomas likely to return in the derby against Barcelona, Dimata's involvement will probably remain lower.
FEBRUARY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Javi Puado - Logs assist in loss Puado provided one assist from two chances created during Monday's 2-1 loss to Athletic Club.
Impact Puado set up Tonny Vilhena for the game's first goal but couldn't make much of a dent after that. Though he's not the best option, Puado has been consistent with three goals and one assist in his last seven games, including five chances created in his last three starts. Up next is the derby against Barcelona, and Puado will hope to take advantage of Raul de Tomas returning from suspension.
FEBRUARY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Tonny Vilhena - Scores in loss Vilhena scored one goal from three shots (one on goal) and created one chance from five crosses (one accurate) in 75 minutes of Monday's 2-1 loss to Espanyol.
Impact Vilhena finished off an early counter attack to take the lead in his first start for Los Pericos, but couldn't hang on to secure a much-needed positive result. With decent involvement throughout his time on the pitch, Vilhena could be a lively asset alongside Raul de Tomas. Up next is the local derby against Barcelona, which have conceded 25 goals in 22 matches this season.
FEBRUARY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Yangel Herrera - Named to match-day squad Herrera (undisclosed) will be available off the bench against Athletic on Monday.
Impact Herrera has been out of the squad for the club's last four matches but is at least fit enough to be a substitute option. Once back up to full match fitness, the midfielder should be in contention to reclaim his place in the starting XI. In his last six appearances (all starts), Herrera notched one goal on four shots (one on target), one assist and five crosses (two accurate).
FEBRUARY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Aleix Vidal - Bench option Monday Vidal (illness) was named to the match-day squad against Athletic on Monday.
Impact Vidal had started 11 of the club's last 12 contests, so his absence from the starting XI is still a little surprising even returning from a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. In his last five outings, the right-back has generated 11 crosses (two accurate), one corner and one shot (off target) and should provide decent fantasy value once restored to a starting role.
FEBRUARY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Raul De Tomas - Suspension concludes De Tomas has completed his suspension after being sent off against Betis.
Impact De Tomas has served his suspension and is eligible for selection once more. The forward is the leading striker for Espanyol, and is a strong fantasy option with starting due to his somewhat unexpected red hot form before his suspension. If he can keep that form going he will remain a top fantasy play, despite the uncertain situation around him.
FEBRUARY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
MATCHDAY: Athletic looks to move closer to European places
Athletic Bilbao tries to move closer to the European qualification spots when it hosts Espanyol in the Spanish leagueFEBRUARY 6, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Aleix Vidal - Tests positive for COVID-19 Vidal announced on Instagram Tuesday that he has tested positive for COVID-19, according to Aldea Perica.
Impact Vidal has some time to recover during the international break before Espanyol's next game against Bilbao on Feb. 7, but Oscar Gil could fill in at right back for the game if necessary.
JANUARY 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Diego Lopez - Concedes four in loss Lopez conceded four goals and made four saves during Friday's 4-1 loss to Real Betis.
Impact Lopez has conceded six goals in his last two matches and 14 total in his last six starts. This isn't an ideal trend for someone who was acclaimed as one of the top goalkeepers in the league during the first half of the season, but there's always time to turn things around. He'll now contest a trip at Athletic Club, which haven't played much in the league lately but have shown improvements in their offensive abilities.
JANUARY 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Adria Pedrosa - Logs seven crosses in loss Pedrosa created one chance from seven crosses (two accurate) during Friday's 4-1 loss to Real Betis.
Impact Pedrosa had plenty of time on the ball but wasn't nearly as efficient with those chances, as he recorded the most crosses of anyone on his team. He'll now look to a trip to Athletic Club, which have conceded the second-fewest goals in La Liga.
JANUARY 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Sergi Darder - Creates one chance in loss Darder created one chance from six crosses (one accurate) during Friday's 4-1 loss to Real Betis.
Impact Darder had provided two assists in the previous match against Cadiz but had fewer opportunities against a much stronger side in this game. His recent offensive contributions haven't been a consistent feature this season, though Darder could be looking to start a trend. Up next is a trip to Athletic Club, which have conceded the second-fewest goals in La Liga.
JANUARY 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Raul De Tomas - Scores in fourth straight, sent off De Tomas scored one goal from two shots (two on goal) and was sent off after 81 minutes of Friday's 4-1 loss to Betis.
Impact De Tomas has scored in four straight starts and in five of his last six matches, which is a perfect turnaround after scoring just one in five games between Nov 20 and Dec 17. As two of the goals in this streak came from penalties, there's no guarantee of his numbers holding up all of the time, but it's still important when he finds the net no matter the opponent. After skipping the next match against Athletic, de Tomas will hope to return in the derby against Barcelona. In his absence Landry Dimata could make a rare start.
JANUARY 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Real Betis stays hot, routs Espanyol 4-1 in Spanish league
Real Betis has continued its good run with a 4-1 win at Espanyol to strengthen its hold on third place in the Spanish leagueJANUARY 21, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Yangel Herrera - Ruled out Friday Herrera (undisclosed) was once again left out of the match-day squad against Betis on Friday.
Impact Herrera will be on the shelf for his fourth consecutive contest due to his lingering undisclosed injury. Prior to getting hurt, the midfielder has started six straight contests in which he recorded one goal on four shots (one on target), one assist and five crosses (two accurate). While not the focal point of the club's attack, Herrera should offer decent mid-range fantasy value once cleared to return.
JANUARY 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Leandro Cabrera - Suspended against Betis Cabrera will miss Friday's clash against Real Betis with a suspension for yellow card accumulation.
Impact Cabrera picked up his fifth booking of the season in Tuesday's draw against Cadiz, meaning he will be suspended for Friday's game. Calero could continue at center back in his place for the game.
JANUARY 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
MATCHDAY: Watford hosts Norwich; Betis aims to keep up form
Two teams likely to be engaged in the scrap to avoid relegation from the Premier League meet when Watford hosts Norwich at Vicarage RoadJANUARY 20, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Oscar Melendo - Creates five chances in draw Melendo made a clearance and created five chances in Tuesday's 2-2 draw against Cadiz.
Impact Melendo was big threat with his passing on Tuesday, though he is still yet to record a goal or an assist this season. He has started just two La Liga games since October, but he may have earned another opportunity even with Keidi Bare returning from suspension Friday against Betis.
JANUARY 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Adri Embarba - Takes four shots in draw Embarba took four shots (two on target) and made a clearance in Tuesday's 2-2 draw against Cadiz.
Impact Embarba was active in attack on Tuesday, but he's still looking for his first goal of the season. On Friday he will take on third-placed Betis, which have conceded 24 times in 21 La Liga matches.
JANUARY 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Diego Lopez - Concedes two goals against Cadiz Lopez made two saves but conceded two goals in Tuesday's 2-2 draw against Cadiz.
Impact Lopez was beaten by strikes from Alvaro Negredo and Ivan Alejo on Tuesday, but his side fought back in stoppage time and Raul de Tomas salvaged a draw with virtually the last kick of the game. Lopez hasn't kept a clean sheet in La Liga since November, and on Friday he'll be in for another tough test against the league's second-best attack in Betis, which have scored 37 goals in 21 matches this season.
JANUARY 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Sergi Darder - Records brace of assists in draw Darder took three shots and assisted two goals in Tuesday's 2-2 draw against Cadiz. He also made a clearance and two interceptions in the match.
Impact Darder was back in the lineup against Cadiz after missing his side's last La Liga game for an undisclosed reason, and he grabbed two assists in a game for the second time this season. He will be ready for Friday's clash against Betis, which are third in La Liga through 21 matches.
JANUARY 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Raul De Tomas - Scores goal against Cadiz De Tomas scored a goal and created a chance in Tuesday's 2-2 draw against Cadiz. He also made a clearance, and he took four shots (three on target) overall in the match.
Impact De Tomas dramatically equalized Tuesday's game in the 96th minute with his 11th goal of the season. He has netted in four of his last five La Liga games and is hot heading into Friday's clash against third-placed Betis, which have conceded 24 times in 21 matches.
JANUARY 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
