Matchday 18 of La Liga between Las Palmas and Espanyol will take place on December 22 at the Gran Canaria Stadium. Las Palmas vs. Espanyol: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Referee: Cesar Soto Grado (Spain)
Matches – 8 (La Liga, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 34;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.3;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 0%.
Predicted lineups for Las Palmas vs. Espanyol
Las Palmas (4-3-3): Jasper Cillessen – Javier Munoz, Scott McKenna, Juanma Herzog, Mika Marmol – Jose Campana, Dario Essugo, Kirian Rodriguez – Alberto Moleiro, Sandro Ramirez, Jaime Mata.
Espanyol (4-4-2): Joan Garcia – Omar El Hilali, Leandro Cabrera, Brian Olivan, Marash Kumbulla – Antonio Roca, Alex Kral, Jofre Carreras, Justin Smith – Javi Puado, Walid Cheddira.
The starting lineup for each team in their previous match in this tournament is specified.
Las Palmas
The Canarians managed to avoid defeat in three consecutive league matches for the first time since the end of last season. The team won away against Barcelona (2-1), drew with Real Sociedad (0-0), and defeated Valladolid at home (2-1). Diego Martinez's side is in 14th place, four points clear of the relegation zone.
- The club has not lost in 6 of their last 8 league matches (5 wins and 1 draw).
- The number "1" appeared in the final score in 8 of Las Palmas' last 12 games in La Liga.
- The team has not won in the second half in 13 of their last 15 La Liga matches (8 draws and 5 losses).
Espanyol
The Catalans shared points at home in their last two rounds against Osasuna (0-0) and Valencia (1-1). Before that, they lost away to Getafe (0-1). Notably, in their last eight La Liga matches, the club has secured only one victory (2 draws and 5 losses), which has dropped them into the relegation zone, but they are just one point away from the safe 17th place.
- The number "1" appeared in the final score in 10 of Espanyol's last 12 La Liga matches.
- At least two goals were scored in 11 of the Catalans' last 14 league matches.
- In their last nine La Liga games, the club has lost only once in the second half (3 wins and 5 draws).
Las Palmas vs. Espanyol: Match Prediction
As expected from teams fighting for survival in La Liga, both opponents have conceded a lot this season, averaging over 1.5 goals per game. Espanyol's defense, in particular, has been porous away from home, conceding 18 goals in 8 matches. Meanwhile, Las Palmas boasts a decent attack, scoring at a level comparable to clubs closer to the European competition zone.
I am confident this match will be high-scoring. The Canarians have scored in 9 of their last 10 home La Liga matches, while conceding in 14 of their last 15 home games in the league. Espanyol has scored in 18 of their last 22 away La Liga matches, but conceded in 15 of their last 16 away games in the league. Incidentally, their last three head-to-head encounters in the league have seen both teams score, with a total of 13 goals shared between them.
My prediction: Total over 2 goals
