Postponed Matchday 13 clash in La Liga between Espanyol and Valencia will take place on December 18 at the Cornella-El Prat Stadium in Barcelona. Espanyol vs. Valencia: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Referee: Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes (Spain)
Matches – 8 (La Liga, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 31;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.9;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 27;
Penalties – 0%.
Predicted lineups for Espanyol vs. Valencia
Espanyol (4-4-2): Joan Garcia – Alvaro Tejero, Leandro Cabrera, Brian Olivan, Marash Kumbulla – Pol Lozano, Alex Kral, Carlos Romero, Antonio Roca – Javi Puado, Irvin Cardona.
Valencia (4-4-2): Stole Dimitrievski – Jesus Vazquez, Cesar Tárrega, Dimitri Foulquier, Cristhian Mosquera – Javi Guerra, Pepelu, Fran Perez, Luis Rioja – Diego Lopez, Hugo Duro.
Each team’s starting lineup is listed as per their last match in this tournament.
Espanyol
The Catalans have failed to score in their last two matches, marking the second time this season. At the start of the 2024/25 La Liga season, the club went three consecutive games without finding the net. In their last two matches, Manolo Gonzalez's side lost away to Getafe (0-1) and drew at home against Osasuna (0-0). It’s also worth noting that the team has achieved only one win in their last seven La Liga games (1 draw and 5 losses). Espanyol has slipped into the relegation zone, trailing by two points from the safe 17th spot.
- The number "1" appeared in the final scoreline in 9 of Espanyol's last 11 league matches.
- At least two goals have been scored in 6 of Espanyol's last 8 La Liga games.
- One team has led with a clean sheet at halftime in 7 of Espanyol's last 8 La Liga matches.
Valencia
The club has lost three consecutive matches for the second time in the current championship (the first series was in the first three rounds). Valencia lost at home to Rayo Vallecano (0-1) and suffered away defeats to Mallorca (1-2) and Valladolid (0-1). In their last nine La Liga games, Valencia has secured just one victory (3 draws and 5 losses). These results have significantly impacted their league standing, with the team dropping to the bottom of the table, six points adrift of the safe 17th position.
First-choice goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili will miss the match due to injury.
- Valencia has managed only one win in the first half of their last 15 La Liga matches (8 draws and 6 losses).
- Valencia has not won in the second half of their last 12 away league games (5 draws and 7 losses).
- The club has scored only one goal in the second half of their last 12 away matches in La Liga.
Espanyol vs. Valencia: Match Prediction
In the last two seasons, Valencia has consistently relied on Giorgi Mamardashvili, who even ranked among the best goalkeepers in Europe, leading to his summer move to Liverpool. However, even his saves are no longer sufficient to save the club from relegation to the Segunda. In the upcoming match, the main goalkeeper will be absent due to injury, which I believe the hosts will capitalize on.
Espanyol is a strong home team. In this championship, the club has earned 13 of their 14 points at home. The Catalans have won 4 of their last 7 home matches in La Liga, with 1 draw, losing only to Villarreal and Sevilla. Meanwhile, Valencia has failed to win in their last 11 away La Liga games (3 draws and 8 losses). With caution, my prediction is – Espanyol with a handicap (0)
