Espanyol vs Valencia Preview: Team News & Prediction

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This could well be seen as a ‘relegation six-pointer’ as 18th-placed Espanyol host rock-bottom Valencia in a massive game for both clubs.

Kick-off date/time: Wednesday December 18th 2024: UK – 8:30pm / US ET – 3:30pm / US PT – 12:30pm

How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Espanyol vs Valencia may be televised on one of their affiliated channels

How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+

Espanyol Preview: Defeat here not an option

Espanyol are currently two points adrift of those directly above them in a table and a win here would see them move out of the bottom three ahead of this coming weekend. It would also bring to an end a run of three games in all competitions without a goal or a win, which includes a shock Copa Del Rey exit against lower-league side Barbastro.

Following that embarrassing exit, Espanyol were beaten 1-0 by Getafe in La Liga, but at least stopped the rot to some extent this past weekend with a 0-0 draw at home to Osasuna.

Valencia Preview: Defeat would see them further cut adrift

Valencia may have games in hand to play with, but that fails to mask the relegation trouble they find themselves in. Bottom of the table, four points behind Espanyol and six away of safety, it’s looking extremely concerning for them right now. Their rotten away form has contributed hugely to such a struggle and they have won just two league games all season so far.

Most recently, Valencia went down 1-0 on the road to Real Valladolid, their third consecutive defeat in La Liga and their second straight loss by a single goal. Like Espanyol, scoring goals has been a problem for Valencia in recent fixtures.

Espanyol Team News: Double suspension to contend with

Centre-back Marash Kumbulla and midfielder Pol Lozano both started at the weekend, but the pair won’t feature in this one after each picking up yellow cards, triggering a suspension. Jose Gragera also misses out, in his case through injury.

Predicted XI (4-4-2): Garcia; Tejero, Gomez, Cabrera, Olivan; Milla, Kral, Smith, Romero; Puado, Cheddira

Unavailable: Kumbulla (Suspended), Gragera (Injured), Lozano (Suspended)

Questionable: Exposito (Injured)

Valencia Team News: Goalkeeper out in latest blow

As if things weren’t bad enough for Valencia, they’ll now have to contend without their first-choice goalkeeper as Giorgi Mamardashvili has picked up an injury that could rule him out for the rest of 2024, joining Jose Gaya and Thierry Correia on the sidelines.

Predicted XI (4-4-2): Dimitrievski; Foulquier, Tarrega, Mosquera, Gasiorowski; Perez, Pepelu, Guerra, Canos; Mir, Duro

Unavailable: Mamardashvili (Injured), Gaya (Injured), Correia (Injured)

Questionable: Diakhaby (Injured), Foulquier (Injured)

Espanyol vs Valencia Prediction

Espanyol may not have been in good form of late and inconsistency is a big problem for them. But being at home is a huge advantage for them in such an important game where the result could have huge ramifications for both teams. Their last four league matches at RCDE Stadium have seen Espanyol pick up two wins and a draw, losing just once, whilst Valencia have picked up just two points from a possible 24 on the road so far this season, losing six and drawing twice.

Expect a cagey affair with neither wanting to risk giving anything away. Valencia not having Mamardashvili between the posts is extremely notable though and this increases the likelihood of Espanyol being able to find the net at least once. With that in mind, the smart move here may well be to back the hosts whilst utilising the safety of the draw no bet market.

Espanyol vs Valencia Tip: Espanyol draw no bet