Real Oviedo — Espanyol : Match Preview and Prediction for October 17,2025

Real Oviedo’s Coaching Change and Season Start

Real Oviedo didn’t hesitate to make a change early in the season. Following a disappointing start since their return to LaLiga, they dismissed Serbian specialist Veljko Paunovic, who had led the ‘blue-and-whites’ back to Spain’s top division after a quarter of a century. Many believe Paunovic made the most of the current squad, with the team playing aggressively, though their defense lacked solidity. Nevertheless, Luis Miguel Carrion, who previously coached the team a few years ago, will now take over for the October fixtures after the international break, replacing Paunovic.

Team Morale and Player Absences for Oviedo

It’s a common occurrence for a team to receive a positive impulse and boost after a coaching change, especially one that has been trying to play aggressively from the outset. However, securing only 2 wins in 8 matches with 6 losses at the start of the season was deemed unacceptable by the management. For Carrion’s debut against Espanyol, Real Oviedo will be without veteran player Santi Cazorla and experienced defender Alvaro Lemos, who has been sidelined with a long-term injury.

Espanyol’s Recent Dip in Form

Espanyol, from Barcelona, showed a bold start to the new season, climbing high into the top 5 after the initial rounds. However, the end of September and early October proved challenging for the ‘blue and whites’. They are now winless in four consecutive matches, having collected only 2 points from their last four LaLiga outings. The international break might have arrived at an opportune moment for the Barcelona-based side.

Defensive Concerns and Key Player Out for Espanyol

Before the break, Espanyol suffered a 1-2 home defeat to Betis, despite leading at halftime before the Seville side turned the game around. The team’s defense cannot be considered reliable; Gonzalez’s proteges play in an attacking style. Furthermore, during the offseason, they transferred Garcia to Barcelona (a top goalkeeper in the near future), contributing to the visitors conceding in 7 of their last 9 games this season. Against Oviedo, Espanyol will miss Javier Puado, an attacker who sustained a knee injury and is sidelined for an extended period.