Espanyol vs Real Valladolid Match Preview & Prediction

Espanyol vs Real Valladolid predictions, H2H and match preview for this Sunday’s game in La Liga. Read on for analysis and predicted line-ups as David Gallego’s side target their first home points of the season.

Espanyol vs Real Valladolid Preview

This may not exactly be one for the neutrals but it’s a significant game in the bottom half between two sides who could really do with three points. Espanyol boss David Gallego is starting to come under real pressure and a defeat here may even spell the end for the short tenure of the inexperienced boss. Valladolid boss Sergio won’t be losing his job if he loses this but will be starting to feel the strain of a long wait for a second win of the season.

Espanyol picked up a useful point in Vigo on Thursday night but they would have still left feeling like they’d lost the game. Santi Mina’s 95th minute equaliser denied them all three points and you have to wonder just how significant that could be in the final reckoning. In the short-term it prevented Espanyol from climbing out of the relegation zone, something they’ll be hungry to rectify here.

The Catalans would jump above their opponents were they to win this game. Real Valladolid have taken just 3 points from 5 games since winning their opening weekend match at Real Betis. Worryingly they’ve been held at home by two of the promoted sides during that spell and this is another game where they might be earmarking a potential three points from.

Espanyol will certainly have a similar idea and this does have the feel of a six-pointer even at this early stage in the campaign. The hosts did switch things up in midweek with quite a few changes and they are expected to rotate back to a stronger starting line-up here as they target their first home points of the campaign. Valladolid should recall Michel and Pedro Porro but wholesale changes are unlikely from them.

Espanyol vs Real Valladolid Predictions

Score Prediction: 1-0 Espanyol

This will be tight and in truth it’s a game that may be settled by a mistake at either end with both sides low on confidence. Espanyol will at least take heart from their performance in Vigo though and they might just nick this game against a Valladolid side that again looks very light on genuine goal threats.

Espanyol vs Real Valladolid H2H

• Last 6 meetings: 2 Espanyol Wins, 1 Valladolid Win, 3 Draws.
• Espanyol took 4 points from the 2 meetings last season including a 2-1 win here.
• Valladolid haven’t won on any of their last 6 trips to the RCDE Stadium.
• 7 of the last 12 meetings overall have been drawn.

Next up in La Liga: Eibar vs Celta Vigo

Predicted Line Ups

Espanyol Team:

Diego Lopez – Javi Lopez, Calero, Naldo, Pedrosa – Sanchez, Darder, Roca – Vargas, Calleri, Wu (4-3-3)

Real Valladolid Team:

Masip – Nacho, Olivas, Salisu, Porro – Villa, Michel, Alcaraz, Plano – Sandro, Guardiola (4-4-2)