Espanyol will take on Toulouse at the Ciutat Esportiva Dani Jarque on Sunday in a pre-season game as both teams continue their preparations ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
The two sides have each enjoyed positive pre-seasons so far, with the hosts winning one and drawing one and the visitors winning three and drawing one.
Match preview
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After being relegated from La Liga as the 19th-placed side in 2022-23, Espanyol were able to bounce straight back into the top flight in the following campaign.
Manolo Gonzalez, who became the manager in March 2024 with the side already in fourth place, guided the side to a playoff place, where they went on to beat Sporting Gijon 1-0 over two legs, booking a place in the final.
The two-legged final saw Espanyol take on Real Oviedo, suffering a 1-0 first-leg defeat, but two quickfire goals from Javi Puado in the 44th and 47th minutes of the second leg secured a 2-1 aggregate victory for the Parakeets.
Ahead of their return to the top flight, where they will be expected to fight for their survival, Gonzalez's side have already played two friendly matches, securing a draw against La Liga opponents Girona and defeating Huesca 1-0.
Espanyol will be aiming to continue their positive form in their final two pre-season fixtures against Toulouse and FC Heidehnheim before their La Liga opener against Real Valladolid later this month.
As for Toulouse, they suffered relegation in 2019-20 after the Ligue 1 season was cut short due to the coronavirus, but it was not long before Les Violets were back in the top division, securing promotion in their second attempt as they lifted the Ligue 2 title.
Their first season back saw Toulouse comfortably finish 13 points above relegation, while also lifting their first-ever Coupe de France trophy, defeating Nantes 5-1 in the final.
Carles Martinez's side followed that up with an 11th-placed finish in the previous campaign, and the Spanish manager will be determined to break into the top half of the table in 2024-25.
They have certainly enjoyed a positive pre-season in preparation for that challenge, beating Rodez AF 2-1, drawing 2-2 with Pau FC, beating Roma 1-0 and smashing Girona 4-0 in a fantastic performance.
Espanyol will be Toulouse's final friendly game ahead of their opening Ligue 1 match against Nantes, and Martinez will be eager for his side to maintain their strong form to take into the competitive season.
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Team News
Martin Braithwaite scored 22 times for the hosts last year, but the striker has moved on in favour of Gremio, meaning Pere Milla could lead the line this campaign.
Puado scored 13 times for the side in La Liga 2 and the midfielder could be in line for his first pre-season appearance in this one with the opening game of the season just around the corner.
Toulouse named similar starting teams in both of their fantastic victories against Roma and Girona, and we expect Martinez to name a matching side in this one.
Last season's top scorer, Thijs Dallinga, left the side in favour of Bologna during the summer window, leaving Frank Magri likely to be their starting striker.
Guillaume Restes remains unavailable for selection due to the 19-year-olds involvement with France at the 2024 Olympics, meaning Alex Dominguez should keep his place in the team.
Espanyol possible starting lineup:
Pacheco; Tejero, El Hilali, Cabrera, Gomez; Roca, Bauza, Gragera, Sanchez; Puado, Milla
Toulouse possible starting lineup:
Dominguez; Nicolaisen, Cresswell, Mawissa; Donnum, Schmidt, Genreau, Aboukhlal; Messali, Magri, Gboho
We say: Espanyol 0-3 Toulouse
Espanyol may be undefeated in their two friendly matches, but Toulouse have been in hot form in their four games, not conceding to either Roma or Girona in their most recent outings, and we expect the visitors to continue their run with a win here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
