The Matchday 19 clash in La Liga between Espanyol and Leganes will take place on January 11 at the Cornella-El Prat Stadium in Barcelona. Espanyol vs. Leganes: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Referee: Juan Martinez Munuera (Spain)
Matches – 9 (La Liga, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 43;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.8;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 27;
Penalties – 22%.
Predicted lineups for Espanyol vs. Leganes
Espanyol (4-4-2): Joan Garcia – Omar El Hilali, Leandro Cabrera, Brian Olivan, Marash Kumbulla – Antonio Roca, Alex Kral, Pol Lozano, Alvaro Tejero – Javi Puado, Walid Cheddira.
Leganes (5-4-1): Marko Dmitrovic – Adria Altimira, Sergio Gonzalez, Javi Hernandez Carrera, Matija Nastasic, Jorge Saenz – Ivan Neyu, Seydouba Cisse, Oscar Rodriguez, Dani Raba – Miguel de la Fuente.
Each team's starting lineup from their last match in this tournament is indicated.
Espanyol
The Catalans played four matches last month and failed to secure a victory. At home, the club drew with Osasuna (0-0) and Valencia (1-1), while away they lost 0-1 to Getafe and Las Palmas. Manolo Gonzalez's side is among the bottom three and trails the safe 17th spot by just one point. Notably, the club has conceded 30 goals, with only Valladolid having a worse defense in the league (37).
- The club has not won in 8 of their last 9 La Liga games (2 draws and 6 losses).
- The number "1" appeared in the final scoreline in 6 of Espanyol's last 7 matches in La Liga.
- In 8 of the last 10 league matches involving the Catalans, one of the teams won the first half with a clean sheet.
Leganes
Before the winter break, the team suffered a 2-5 home defeat to Villarreal. This marked their third consecutive heavy loss in the current championship, occurring in their last five matches (including one win and one draw). All these significant defeats happened at home. Borja Jimenez's side is in 15th place, just three points clear of the nearest relegation zone rival.
Defender Jorge Saenz and midfielder Oscar Rodriguez will miss the match due to suspensions.
- At least two goals were scored in 7 of the club's last 9 La Liga games.
- Leganes have not lost the first half in 11 of their last 12 away league matches (3 wins and 8 draws).
- At least two goals were scored in the second half in 7 of the last 9 away league matches.
Espanyol vs. Leganes: Match Prediction
Leganes' last away game ended with a sensational result – the club managed to defeat Barcelona 1-0. Although the team rarely wins away, they are not easy to beat. In their last 12 away matches, the club from the Madrid suburbs lost only three times, securing as many wins and drawing six times. They lost to worthy and stronger opponents – Atletico, Girona, and Betis.
Espanyol is a distinctly home team. However, in their last 12 home matches in La Liga, the club has only achieved 4 wins (4 draws and 4 losses). The Catalans consistently concede at home – in 11 of their last 12 La Liga matches. It's likely that Leganes will find the net against the hosts, especially since they have scored in six consecutive away league matches. I predict that Borja Jimenez's side will score at least as many as they concede, as they have not allowed more than one goal in 9 of their last 12 away La Liga matches.
My prediction – Leganes to win or draw
