Valencia vs Espanyol Preview and Prediction LaLiga Santander 2017
Fixture: Valencia vs Espanyol
League: La Liga
Venue: Mestalla Stadium
Date: Sunday 15th January
Kick-off: 11:00am GMT
Lowly team Valencia CF (3-9-4, 13 points) will try to snap an eight-game winless spell as they host middling squad RCD Espanyol (5-4-8, 23 points) at their home field of Mestalla Stadium on Jan. 15, Sunday as the 2016-2017 La Liga season continues.
Valencia has been winless in their last eight outings and has not won a game since their 2-1 road victory over Sporting Gijon back in the middle of October. The team is currently settled in the 17th spot of the 20-team Spanish top flight table, only one point ahead of Sporting in the bottom three relegation zone.
Los Che was held to a 3-3 draw by cellar-dwelling side Osasuna on the road at the El Sadar Stadium on Monday as the team failed again to add to their win total this season, as per USA Today.
On-loan Barcelona forward Munir El Haddadi opened the scoring right in the second minute of the match, but Osasuna was quick to level the count with a right-footer from Oriol Riera just five minutes later.
An own goal from Riera in the first half injury time gave the lead back to Valencia as the first half ended with the visitors having a 2-1 lead.
Los Rojillos equalized again in the 62nd with a goal by Roberto Torres before Martin Montoya gave caretaker manager Voro’s side a 3-2 advantage in the 73rd.
The hosts salvaged the draw with a stoppage time goal from Carlos Clerc as the two teams shared the spoils with a point each in the overall standings.
Meanwhile, Espanyol was also held to a 1-1 draw by struggling squad Deportivo La Coruna last Friday at their home ground of Cornella – El Prat Stadium, SkySports reported.
After a scoreless first half of action, Deportivo midfielder Celso Borges netted the opening goal in the 59th minute with a header from the center of the box.
Spanish striker Gerard Moreno then found the equalizer just four minutes later. Both sides were unable to score a goal from there as they settled for a share of a point in the league table as well.
Espanyol is 11th in the standings at the moment.
Prediction and Predicted Lineup
The predicted result is a tough 1-0 decision for Espanyol.
Valencia starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Alves; Siqueira, Mangala, Montoya, Suarez; Mina, Soler; Parejo, Munir, Perez; Rodrigo
Espanyol starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Roberto; Martin, Reyes, Sanchez, Lopez; Piatti, Jurado; Fuego, Gullon, Sevilla; Gerard