Espanyol’s return to Spain’s first division has been challenging, with the promoted club fighting for survival in the league. They rank 16th in La Liga after scoring 17 goals in 19 matches.
The squad drew 1-1 with Léganes, another promoted team that was struggling. Defender Leandro Cabrera scored in the second minute for the hosts, but Seydouba Cissé equalised for Los Pepineros.
The match was controversial after a handball was given to Léganes, which preceded their only goal. According to Relevo, multiple Espanyol players complained to the ref. Their coach was outspoken, saying, “I would love to say what I think, but they would put me in a cage”. It was one of the team’s best-attacking games, dominating in attacking momentum but unable to convert the advantage.
Espanyol remain winless in five La Liga matches, with their last dating back to late November against Celta Vigo (3-1). Their journey in the Copa del Rey ended after Barbastro defeated them 2-0.
The club introduced new blood in the winter window. In an attempt to avoid relegation, they signed 22-year-old Roberto Férnandez. The youngster settled on a loan deal with the club, as Espanyol’s bloated wage bill prevents them from signing anyone. As an attacker, goals will be most important, while the 22-year-old is looking for more playtime.
The club relied on the return of Edu Exposito, who featured for the first time last week after being away from the pitch. However, he was injured in the last few minutes against Léganes and is expected to be unavailable for the match against Real Valladolid.
José Gragera is also injured and will remain sidelined. Carlos Romero’s availability is yet to be determined.
Real Valladolid sacked Paulo Pezzolano, whose side was in last place, and Diego Cocca took over on December 14th. His team lost the last match of the 2024 year, as Girona defeated them 3-0. Cocca oversaw a second loss in the Copa del Rey against Ourense (3-2).
Amid the negative news, the performance of Raúl Moro, who scored, led to Ajax showing interest in the youngster. According to Relevo, the player replied positively to the offer but wants to stay until the end of the season to help his club avoid relegation.
Real Valladolid has set the minimum price at 10M, with Atalanta also expressing interest in the youngster.
Cocca secured his first victory last week, as his side surprisingly defeated Real Betis 1-0. Kike Pérez and Raúl Moro stood out, with the former scoring the only winning goal. Their head coach spoke about “growing” from this game, as he expressed satisfaction with the victory.
The win allowed Real Valladolid to overtake Valencia, and they’re now 19th with 15 points.
Bet hereDespite the 1-0 victory against Real Betis, Espanyol remain the favourites for this clash. With more attackers, they can build on a solid defence. The team showed excellent defensive displays throughout the season, opting for classic low blocks, which are effective against a team lacking clarity in the attack.
Real Valladolid have the worst defensive record, conceding 37 goals while only scoring 13. The host’s victory against Celta Vigo (3-1) demonstrates how efficient a basic defensive plan can be for the team.
Remember the home factor for Friday, too. With the visitors still adapting to Cocca’s tactics, they’re unlikely to secure a victory against Espanyol.
Espanyol’s attack hasn’t produced many highlights this season, but Javi Puado’s performance in front of the net has been essential to the club’s survival. He’s scored six goals, with his last in a 1:1 draw against Valencia. Also, he was among the team’s best performers in the 3-1 victory against Celta Vigo. The Spaniard frequently finds himself in the penalty box.
He might not be a traditional number nine, but his movements off the ball make him a dangerous forward. Against a team that struggles to defend, this could be his chance.
Disclaimer: The content provided on this page, including all football predictions, odds, and related information, is for entertainment and informational purposes only. While we strive to ensure accuracy and timeliness, we do not guarantee the correctness or reliability of any predictions, data, or information presented here.
Make sure to bet on Espanyol vs Real Valladolid with our 22Bet Sportsbook!
Bet hereWhile the sport itself is the same, Euroleague betting and bets on NBA games differ…
Date and Time: Saturday, January 18, 12:30 GMT+1 Venue: St James' Park, Newcastle upon Tyne,…
Date and Time: Wednesday, January 18, 2025, 15:00 GMT+1 Venue: London Stadium, London, England West…
Date and Time: January 17, 2025, 19:30 GMT+1 Venue: Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt, Germany Eintracht…
Date and Time: January 18, 2025, 15:00 GMT+1 Venue: King Power Stadium, Leicester, England Leicester…
Date and Time: Saturday, January 18, 2025, 14:30 GMT Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany Bayern…
This website uses cookies.