Dan is back and raring to go for the new season, here he gives a quick run down of our opponents in the first home friendly of the pre season.

Tomorrow Saints will take part in their fifth friendly match of pre-season and arguably the most anticipated as Saints fans will get to witness their new manager and his coaching staff at St.Mary’s for the first time since their arrival a month ago.

This match was only announced last week as part of a two-for-the-price-of-one deal with the fixture against Athletic Bilbao arranged weeks before.

Espanyol finished 13th in La Liga last season and are based in Barcelona, I don’t need to tell you who their neighbours are…

The Catalonian club’s season starts a week after Southampton’s when they play Europa League winners Sevilla in La Liga.

Espanyol had two players in the Spain squad for Euro 2016, Pau Lopez and Marco Asensio.

New signings Alex McCarthy and Jeremy Pied are unlikely to feature as they would’ve only had 48 hours with the club. Jose Fonte and Cedric are also unlikely to play as they returned from their holidays after winning Euro 2016 with Portugal today.

Photo: Action Images

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