Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the La Liga match.
Espanyol have made a perfect start at home this season, winning all three of their league matches in Barcelona, including a notable 2:1 victory over Atlético Madrid. Valencia, meanwhile, bounced back from a humiliating 0:6 defeat to Barcelona with a 2:0 win against Athletic Bilbao, though their overall form still raises questions.
Espanyol
Against Real Madrid (0:2) last time out, Espanyol showed real courage. The team played out from the back under pressure, broke the press on several occasions and generated 0.96 xG. At home they have looked far more assured, stringing together three wins in a row with an aggregate score of 6:2. In particular, their performance against Atlético Bilbao was clinical, scoring twice from 1.26 xG.
Valencia
Valencia responded quickly to the Barcelona collapse by overcoming Athletic Bilbao, yet both goals came via defensive errors and after Daniel Vivian was sent off. Defensive solidity remains a concern, with eight goals conceded in five games from an xGA of 6.89. Historically, their meetings with Espanyol have been tight – the last five have all ended in draws, each featuring goals at both ends.
Espanyol vs Valencia Prediction
Valencia’s resilience is not in doubt, but Espanyol’s momentum at home is the stronger factor here. The Catalans are in excellent form at the RCDE Stadium and should at least avoid defeat. With both sides likely to find the net, goals should be on the cards.
