Espanyol vs Real Valladolid Preview: Team News & Prediction
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Ahead of the 20th match day and officially the second-half of the 2024/25 La Liga campaign, both Espanyol and Real Valladolid, who gained promotion to the top-flight last season, sit tucked inside the bottom three and the relegation places.
Kick-off date/time: Friday 17th January, 2025: UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Espanyol vs Real Valladolid may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Espanyol Team News: Couple of injuries
Manolo Gonzalez has been dealing with injuries throughout this season to key men such as Edu Exposito and Leandro Cabrera but both are now fully fit and available for this one.
That experienced duo have returned with the former recovering from an ACL injury but they do have a couple of key injuries as both Carlos Romero and Jose Gragera are sidelined.
Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Joan Garcia; El Hilali, Kumbulla, Leandro Cabrera, Brian Olivan; Pol Lozano; Alex Roca, Alvaro Tejero, Kral, Jofre Carreras; Javi Puado
Unavailable: Carlos Romero (Injured), Jose Gragera (Injured)
Questionable:
Real Valladolid Team News: Juanmi Latasa returns
Former Real Madrid striker Juanmi Latasa was sent off before Christmas but the 23-year-old has returned from suspension for this weekend’s trip to the RCDE Stadium in Catalonia.
Valladolid have no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues for this one but they do remain without midfielder Mamadou Sylla, who has been unavailable for a month now.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Hein; Lucas Perez, Juma Bah, Jorge Sanchez, Rosa; Kike Perez, Juric, Mario Martin; Anuar, Marcos Andre, Raul Moro
Unavailable: Mamadou Sylla (Injured)
Questionable:
Espanyol vs Real Valladolid Prediction
Espanyol returned from La Liga’s winter break by taking a second minute lead against Leganes via the aforementioned Leandro Cabrera. However, Lega equalised around ten minutes later and the score remained level despite Leganes’ late red card. Espanyol have struggled for consistency and goals throughout the campaign. Real Valladolid, on the other hand, earned themselves a potential pivotal first win of the Diego Cocca era as they defeated Real Betis by a goal to nil thanks to a second-half strike from Kike Perez. A low-scoring affair is to be expected for this one with fewer than two or three goals between two of the poorest sides in the division desperate to avoid a potentially season defining defeat.
Espanyol vs Real Valladolid Tip: Under 2.5 goals
