La Liga unfolds for the 18th week this weekend as Valencia invites Espanyol at for a clash at Mestalla Stadium. This is probably one of the exciting fixtures scheduled for 31st December 2021, kickoff at 18:15 EAT.
Despite facing a few Spanish powerhouses along the way Valencia is now undefeated in the league for a period of two months which sees them in the eighth spot with 28 points. Coming into this game they have picked up 11 points from the last five games both home and away averaging 2.2 points per game. Both teams have scored in four of those games.
Valencia heads into this game looking for similar result as the 3-4 La Liga victory versus Levante in their previous fixture. In that match, Valencia had 49% possession, 14 shots with seven of them on target and goals scored by Gonçalo Guedes (44′, 85′) and Carlos Soler (50′, 72′)., Levante got 15 shots with nine of them on target and goals scored by Campaña (21′), Roger Martí (24′) and Enis Bardhi (91′).
Espanyol on the other hand is languishing in the middle of the table with 23 points after the same number of games with the foe here. Coming into this game, Espanyol has picked up six points from the last five games both home and away an average of 1.2 points per game. Both teams scored in just two of those games.
The Blanquiazules will be looking to bounce back from the 3-1 losing effort to Celta Vigo in their most recent match. In that game, Espanyol managed 48% possession, six shots with three of them on target and a goal scored by Loren (92′). Celta de Vigo got 12 shots with five of them on target and goals by Santi Mina (3′), Iago Aspas (47′) and Denis Suárez (82′).
Valencia vs Espanyol head to head
These two sides have 54 games against each other since 1995. Out of the 54 meetings Valencia holds a clear the upper hand having won in 25 matches while Espanyol has 19 wins and 10 draws have been recorded.
- Valencia 1-0 Espanyol 16/07/20
- Espanyol 1-2 Valencia 02/11/19
- Valencia 0-0 Espanyol 17/02/19
- Espanyol 2-0 Valencia26/08/18
- Valencia 1-0 Espanyol 08/04/18
Home
- Levante 3-4 Valencia
- CD Arenteiro 1-3 Valencia
- Valencia 2-1 Elche
- Celta Vigo 1-2 Valencia
- CD Utrillas 0-3 Valencia
Away
- Celta Vigo 3-1 Espanyol
- Palencia Cristo Atl. 1-2 Espanyol
- Espanyol 4-3 Levante
- Vallecano 1-0 Espanyol
- SD Solares Medio Cudeyo 2-3 Espanyol
Valencia team news
José Bordalás will not be able to call upon Gabriel Paulista, while there are doubts over the availability of Paraguayan centre-back Omar Alderete, left-back Toni Lato and Guadeloupe international Dimitri Foulquier. Uros Racic is also out serving suspension.
Espanyol team news
David Lopez is unavailable for selection with injury while Landry Dimata and Oscar Gil are major doubts in this fixture.
Prediction and odds
The hosts are our favourites to win this fixture being undefeated in the last seven league games and nine fixtures across all competitions while the opponents is on a four-match losing streak in league fixtures away from home and winless on the road since January.
- Valencia Win
- Draw
- Both teams to score
