Wolves striker Raul Jimenez wary of struggling Espanyol

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side go up against the Barcelona-based side at Molineux in 10 days’ time, and then clash again at the RCDE Stadium on February 27.

Wolves are well-fancied, with Espanyol fighting for their lives at the bottom of La Liga, but Jimenez – who played in Spain for Atletico Madrid – insists they cannot be underestimated as they won Group H in the Europa League, while Nuno’s charges came second in Group K behind Braga.

“Of course I know it, many Mexican players have played there,” said Jimenez on the Catalan club.

“It’s a team that’s talked about a lot in Spain, and we know it’s going to be a tough match.

“It’s going to be hard, but they also have their own weaknesses and we can take advantage of them.”

An obvious weakness, which should play in 20-goal Jimenez’s favour, is Espanyol’s defensive record.

They have conceded at a rate of almost twice a game in the league, while David Gallego and Pablo Machin have both been hired and fired as manager since last summer.

Abelardo Fernandez, who spent eight years at Barcelona as a player, is now in charge.

On if he can tell what their flaws are, Jimenez said: “No, we’ll still have to watch videos on them, to get to know how they’ll play when the day comes.

“I know they’ve had a tough season, they are fighting in the last positions, but we can never give a win away thinking they’re dead.

“We have to play every game like it’s our last.”

Some will feel that, given their struggles in the league and danger of relegation, Espanyol may not be treating the Europa as the top priority.

But Jimenez, who made 21 appearances and scored once in his season at Atletico, believes they will be going all out to beat Wolves – and then get back on track in La Liga too.

On if there are any particular players Wolves should be wary of, Jimenez added: “They’re a team that’s been improving.

“They have been doing things better and in the same way, because they’re fighting relegation.

“They want to get wins wherever they can, so it’s important not to focus too much on individualities, or else that will allow their collective to be stronger.”