Prediction: Espanyol vs Real Valladolid

Verdict: Home win

Best odds: 5/6

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Real Valladolid will look to secure back-to-back La Liga victories for the first time since April 2024 when they face fellow relegation battlers Espanyol on Friday night.

Currently sitting 19th in the table, Valladolid head into the encounter buoyed by a hard-fought 1-0 triumph over Real Betis. Meanwhile, 18th-placed Espanyol will aim to build on their 1-1 draw with Leganes in their most recent outing.

Espanyol

Espanyol have endured a challenging La Liga campaign, registering four wins, four draws, and 11 losses from 19 matches, leaving them in 18th place – one point behind 17th-placed Alaves and just one ahead of 19th-placed Real Valladolid.

Manolo Gonzalez’s side has struggled defensively, conceding 31 goals, the joint-second worst record in the division, highlighting a key area needing improvement if they are to avoid relegation this season.

The Catalans have drawn three of their last four league outings, including a 1-1 stalemate with Leganes in their most recent game. However, they have not tasted victory since a 3-1 triumph over Celta Vigo at home in late November.

Espanyol have suffered consecutive defeats to Real Valladolid in their last two La Liga meetings, including a 1-0 loss earlier this season. Still, they can draw encouragement from their 2-0 home win over Valladolid in the Segunda Division during the 2023/24 campaign.

Team News

Espanyol will remain without Jose Gragera, who continues to recover from a thigh injury, while Pablo Ramon and Salvi Sanchez face late fitness tests to determine their availability for the match.

Head coach Manolo Gonzalez is expected to stick with the same starting lineup that began against Leganes in their last outing, with Jofre Carreras and Antoniu Roca likely to retain their spots on the wings.

Javi Puado, Espanyol’s top scorer this season with six La Liga goals, is poised to lead the line as the centre-forward in Friday night’s crucial clash.

Real Valladolid

Real Valladolid have had the upper hand in recent La Liga encounters with Espanyol, winning four of the last five meetings. However, their last top-flight visit to Barcelona in October 2022 ended in a 1-0 defeat to the Catalan side.

The White and Violets have endured a challenging campaign, managing four wins, three draws, and 12 losses from 19 matches, leaving them in 19th place with 15 points—two clear of bottom-placed Valencia.

Encouragingly, Diego Cocca’s side has secured two wins from their last three league games, both 1-0 victories at home against Valencia and Real Betis, helping them climb off the foot of the table. Despite boasting the league’s worst defensive record with 37 goals conceded in 19 matches, successive home clean sheets have provided a morale boost.

However, Valladolid’s dismal away form remains a significant issue. They have lost eight of their nine league games on the road, netting just six goals while conceding 25. Addressing their poor performances away from home will be crucial for their survival hopes this season.

Team News

Real Valladolid welcome back Juanmi Latasa from suspension, and with no injuries reported, head coach Diego Cocca could have a fully-fit squad available for Friday’s crucial contest.

Marcos Andre is expected to spearhead the attack, supported by Raul Moro and Anuar Tuhami on the flanks, while Mamadou Sylla provides an attacking option from the bench for the side currently occupying 19th place in the standings.

There was a brief concern for Juma Bah, who had to be substituted at halftime in the victory over Real Betis, but the promising teenager is anticipated to be fit and in contention for selection against Espanyol.

Conclusion

The last La Liga draw between these two teams dates back to October 2018, and Friday’s clash could finally end that streak. Real Valladolid’s poor away form this season has been a significant obstacle, but the White and Violets might have just enough resilience to earn a hard-fought point against Espanyol, resulting in a share of the spoils in this crucial encounter. However, an Espanyol victory seems a likelier outcome.

Verdict: Home win

Best odds: 5/6

Bookmaker: Olympusbet