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Real Valladolid will entertain Espanyol at Estadio José Zorrilla in the La Liga campaign opener on Monday. Both teams secured promotion from the Segunda Division last season and will look to get their top-flight campaign underway with a win.
The hosts had a good run in the pre-season, winning three of their four games. They concluded the pre-season with a 2-0 win over Toulouse earlier this month, thanks to goals from Marcos André and Raúl Moro.
The visitors also played four games in the pre-season, recording just one win. In their final friendly, they suffered a 2-1 loss to Heidenheim. Javier Puado Díaz scored in the seventh minute and an own goal from Sergi Gómez helped the German side equalize in the second half. Maximilian Breunig scored the match-winner for Heidenheim.
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Real Valladolid vs Espanyol Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams have crossed paths 95 times in all competitions. The visitors have the upper hand in these meetings with 40 wins. The hosts are not far behind with 30 wins and 25 games have ended in draws.
- They met thrice last season, twice in the Segunda Division and once in the Copa del Rey. The visitors were unbeaten in these meetings, recording two wins.
- The hosts have won three of their last four La Liga meetings against the visitors.
- Real Valladolid have just one win in their last eight La Liga games, failing to score in four.
- Espanyol are unbeaten in their last four La Liga games, with three ending in draws.
- The hosts have failed to score in three of their last five meetings against the visitors and have just one win in that period.
- The visitors have suffered just one loss in their last 10 competitive away games, keeping six clean sheets.
Real Valladolid vs Espanyol Prediction
Blanquivioletas have an unbeaten home record in competitive games in 2024 and will look to build on that form. They are unbeaten in their last 10 La Liga home meetings against the visitors, with five games ending in draws.
Head coach Paulo Pezzolano has a few absentees for the campaign opener. Anuar is expected to be sidelined with an injury while Kenedy is a doubt. Goalkeeper Andre Ferreira will serve a suspension.
Periquitos have suffered just one loss in competitive games since February. They were unbeaten in their three meetings against the hosts last season, keeping two clean sheets, and will look to extend their unbeaten streak here. Fernando Calero was injured in the friendly against Heidenheim and is a doubt for the trip to Valladolid.
Both teams are back in the top flight after just one season and will look to get their campaign underway on a positive note. Considering their recent history, they are expected to settle for a draw.
Prediction: Real Valladolid 2-2 Espanyol
Real Valladolid vs Espanyol Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Draw
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Javi Puado to score or assist any time - Yes
