Real Valladolid vs Espanyol Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 Spanish Primera
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In what is expected to be a difficult campaign for both sides, this is a brilliant opportunity to get off the mark for two of the three newly-promoted sides as Real Valladolid host Espanyol on the opening day of the season.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Monday 19th August, 2024 - UK – 6:00pm / US ET – 1:00pm / US PT – 10:00am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Real Valladolid vs Espanyol may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
REAL VALLADOLID PREVIEW: PAOLO PEZZOLANO’S PUCELANOS
Owned by former Brazil striker Ronaldo, Real Valladolid propelled themselves back to the top-flight of Spanish football as runners’ up in the Segunda last season under the management of former Cruzeiro and Pachuca boss Paulo Pezzolano in what was just his first season as a manager in European football.
In the summer transfer window, Valladolid have lost a few recognisable faces in Jordi Masip, Sergio Escudero and Alvaro Negredo but they have brought in some interesting signings. Stipe Buik has been their biggest outlay from LAFC but the likes of Andre Ferreira, Amath Ndiaye and Eray Comert have all also arrived.
ESPANYOL PREVIEW: NEW BOSS FOR THE CATALANS
Last season, Espanyol came back to La Liga via the playoffs, overturning a second-leg deficit against Real Oviedo in the final. Their manager that oversaw their promotion, Luis Garcia, has since departed the club, though, to become assistant to Tintin Marquez with the Qatari national team.
Luis Garcia’s replacement is last season’s Espanyol B coach, Manolo Gonzalez. Promoting from within suggests a sense of steadiness and that has been shown in the transfer market with few incomings. They have lost some key men, including last season’s top scorer Martin Braithwaite who has joined Gremio.
REAL VALLADOLID TEAM NEWS: FULLY FIT
Paulo Pezzolano is able to choose from a fully fit squad this weekend and it will be intriguing to see how many new signings come in but goalkeeper Andre Ferreira is expected to get the nod between the sticks after joining from Granada.
The hosts often used quite an attacking 4-3-3 system last season and there is no reason to suggest that will not once again be the case in the top-flight.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Ferreira; Luis Perez, Javi Sanchez, Comert, Rosa; Amallah, Victor Meseguer, Juric; Ndiaye, Biuk, Ivan Sanchez
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
ESPANYOL TEAM NEWS: FULL STRENGTH
Much like Valladolid, Manolo Gonzalez is blessed to choose from a fully fit and available squad for this weekend’s opening day trip west and there are a few key decisions for him to make.
Whilst in charge of Espanyol’s B team, the former Badalona and Pena Deportiva coach preferred a 4-2-3-1 system so that is expected to be the same for this one.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Joan Garcia; Alvaro Tejero, Sergi Gomez, Fernando Calero, Leandro Cabrera; Edu Exposito, Kral; Cardona, Alvaro Aguado, Pere Milla; Veliz
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
REAL VALLADOLID VS ESPANYOL PREDICTION
As mentioned, this is a brilliant opportunity for both sides to get themselves off the mark early on. Real Valladolid do appear to be in better shape ahead of the campaign with the impressive and continued management of Paulo Pezzolano, whilst Espanyol are embarking upon something of the unknown with Manolo Gonzalez. It is expected to be cagey regardless of the outcome, though, with the two sides aware of the importance of this one, despite it being the opening day.
REAL VALLADOLID VS ESPANYOL TIP: UNDER 2.5 GOALS
