Valencia vs Espanyol predictions, H2H and match preview for this Thursday’s game in LaLiga. Read on for analysis, free betting tips and predicted line-ups as Los Che aim to keep their fading European hopes alive.
by Mark Sochon (@marksoc1)
Valencia vs Espanyol Preview
Espanyol’s penultimate game as a top flight outfit sees them travel to Mestalla to take on a Valencia side that needs the win to keep their slim Europa League qualification hopes alive. Even a victory may not be enough as other results on Thursday night could potentially rule them out of the running for those final European places heading into the final weekend.
This has been a fairly dire season for both clubs. Valencia’s 2019 Copa del Rey Final win seems a long time ago and some fairly atrocious decisions by their board continue to unravel all the good work that was done during Marcelino’s time at the club. 5 defeats from their last 8 games now suggests European football is out of their grasp and a host of key players have now reportedly been put up for sale including Dani Parejo and Ferran Torres.
Espanyol may also be looking to recoup some of their €40 million January investment by selling players as they prepare for life in the Segunda Division. They should in theory have a financial advantage on all the other clubs with parachute payments increased this year but things still look broken on the pitch at the Catalan club with 7 straight league defeats for them heading into this match as their 26 year stay in the top flight comes to a miserable end.
Both these sides have interim bosses at the helm with Valencia on their 3rd coach of the season and Espanyol their 4th. Neither Voro nor Francisco Rufete have done their chances of getting the job on a full-time basis much good and both clubs should have new bosses in place for next season.
In terms of team news, Jose Gaya is nearing fitness for Valencia but is still likely to miss out while Rodrigo and Cristiano Piccini are both sidelined. Fernando Calero is the only significant injury doubt for Espanyol.
We have LaLiga match previews for every game plus some Segunda Division previews.
Valencia vs Espanyol Predictions
Score Prediction: 2-0 Valencia
Valencia were very poor at Leganes at the weekend but this Espanyol side is going down without a fight and showed no sign of a positive reaction to their relegation in a home defeat against Eibar last time out. It’s likely to be 8 straight defeats for them here in what could be the final game at Mestalla for several Valencia players.
Valencia vs Espanyol Betting Tips (18+)
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Valencia vs Espanyol H2H
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 4 Valencia Wins, 1 Espanyol Win, 1 Draw.
- Valencia won 2-1 at the RCDE Stadium when the sides met earlier this term.
- Valencia have won 5 of the last 6 meetings at Mestalla.
- However Espanyol did manage to get a 0-0 draw here last season.
Predicted Line Ups
Valencia Team:
Domenech – Costa, Paulista, Mangala, Florenzi – Guedes, Kondogbia, Parejo, Soler – Gomez, Gameiro (4-4-2)
Espanyol Team:
Lopez – Vila, Cabrera, Espinosa, Lopez – Embarba, Roca, Lopez, Darder – De Tomas, Calleri (4-4-2)
Read more: LaLiga Weekly Review – Matchdays 35 & 36
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