The Matchday 6 clash in La Liga between Espanyol and Valencia will take place on September 23 at the Cornella-El Prat Stadium in Barcelona. Espanyol vs. Valencia: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Espanyol
After the first four rounds of the championship, the club unexpectedly secured 10 out of a possible 12 points, particularly surprising with a home win over Atletico. However, last Saturday, Espanyol couldn't handle Real Madrid (0-2), ending their five-match unbeaten run in La Liga (4 wins, 1 draw). Moreover, the Catalans failed to score for the first time in six Primera matches. Nevertheless, even after their first defeat of the season, Espanyol sits in fourth place in the table – within the Champions League zone.
- The club has not lost in 14 of their last 16 home games in the Primera (8 wins, 6 draws).
- Espanyol has scored in 13 of their last 14 home league matches.
- The team has conceded at least one goal in 10 of their last 12 games in La Liga.
Predicted lineup for Espanyol (4-2-3-1)
Marko Dmitrovic – Fernando Calero, Omar El Hilali, Carlos Romero, Leandro Cabrera – Urko Gonzalez, Pol Lozano – Tyris Dolan, Javi Puado, Edu Exposito – Roberto Fernandez Jaen.
Key midfielder Pere Milla continues to serve a suspension.
Valencia
The team, which is solidifying its status as a mid-table side in the Primera, traditionally lacks stability. After a draw with Real Sociedad in the first round of the championship, Valencia alternates between wins and losses. Last weekend, the club defeated Athletic, which improved Carlos Corberan's side's position in the standings – they now occupy 11th place. Notably, Valencia has only picked up points at home so far this La Liga season.
- The club has not lost in 14 of their last 18 league matches (8 wins, 6 draws).
- The Valencians have won with a handicap (+1.5) in 9 of their last 10 away games in the Primera.
- The team has scored at least one goal in 14 of their last 18 La Liga matches.
Predicted lineup for Valencia (4-4-2)
Julen Agirrezabala – Jose Luis Gaya, Cesar Tárrega, Mouctar Diakhaby, Dimitri Foulquier – Javi Guerra, Baptiste Santamaria, Diego Lopez, Luis Rioja – Arnaut Danjuma, Dani Raba.
Match Prediction: Espanyol vs. Valencia
Goalless draws or matches with just one goal are rare occurrences for both teams. This is especially true for Espanyol: due to numerous defensive errors, the club has conceded at least two goals in 7 of their last 10 La Liga games, yet the Catalans regularly find the net – only in their last match against Real Madrid did their five-match scoring streak in the Primera come to an end.
Valencia defends more reliably and creates fewer chances in attack, but they have reached the two-goal mark in 5 of their last 6 league matches. The team tends to play more entertainingly away from home: in 10 of their last 13 away games in the Primera, both teams have scored. It's also important to note that at least two goals have been scored in the last six meetings between Espanyol and Valencia in La Liga.
I believe this time, the opponents will collectively score at least a couple of goals. Prediction: Total over 2 goals
