Valladolid vs Espanyol Prediction & Betting Tips (19 August)

Neck and neck in the race for the title in the 2nd division last season, Valladolid finally had to settle for the runner-up place, like three years ago with Almeria. This is the second promotion in three years for the club of the legendary Ronaldo "R9" Nazario and the objective will be very specific: retention. La Pucela participated in five preparation matches during the summer for a very gratifying record of four successes against Gimnastics Segoviana 2-5, at the end of penalties against Burgos 1-1 FM, a volley inflicted on Pau 4- 1 and lastly against TFC 0-2. There was a small defeat against Derby County 2-1. Relegated from La Liga two years ago, Espanyol did not wait long to appear again in the elite of Spanish football.

On the other hand, to access it, the Catalan club had to participate in the play-offs and after taking out Sporting Gijon in the semi-final 1-0 in both matches, it lynched Real Oviedo in the final while taking advantage of playing at home on the return leg to reverse the trend, 1-0 defeat on the first leg, 2-0 victory on the return leg. As preparation, the Catalans participated in five friendly matches for a record of only one small victory against Huesca 1-0, three draws against Girona 0-0, Toulouse 0-0 and Sabadell 1-1. Finally, Heidenheim got the better of Espanyol by winning by a small goal 2-1. 

Un día para reencontrarnos. pic.twitter.com/WpaPuHKDS5

— Real Valladolid C.F. (@realvalladolid) August 18, 2024

Replacement goalkeeper in the hierarchy, Andre Ferreira will serve his suspension this evening and will not be on the match sheet. Note the injuries to Javi Sanchez and Luis Perez (working away from the group) without forgetting to mention Kenedy. Major element of the promotion, Monchu (6 goals, 3 assists, indisputable starter) left the club recently to join Aris. Same case for Escudero (3 pawns, 3 cakes) who left for La Coruña. Mamadou Sylla (8 goals, 2 assists) is still in the squad, as is Victor Andres Cavas (6 goals, 4 assists) and Ndiaye (5 goals, 2 assists), both permanently recruited. Note that Comert was loaned by Valencia, goalkeeper Karl (Arsenal, loan) also arrived as did Raul Moro (Lazio, transfer) who scored 2 goals in the last 2 preparation matches. Biuk Stipe (LAFC) was recruited, same for Stanko. Amallah has returned from loan from Valencia and will probably be retained.

Sad news for Exposito who suffered a cruciate ligament rupture and will most likely miss the start of the season. Note the possible absence of Calero (3 goals in the league last season). Former FC Barcelona and Toulouse striker Braithwaite (22 league goals last year, top scorer in D2) joined Gremio this summer and Nico Melamed (4 goals, 3 goals) joined Almeria freely in D2. Oscar Gil (20 appearances in Liga2 last year) joined Louvain in the Jupiler League while Jose Lazo did not extend his contract (15 caps last year in D2) and Keita Baldé returned to Spartak Moscow (end of loan) . In terms of arrivals, the Frenchman Irvin Cardona (10 goals with Saint-Étienne in D2 last year) arrived on loan from Ausburg, the same for Alejo (Tottenham, loan), for Alex Kral (Union Berlin) and for Carlos Romero (Villarreal). Alvaro Tejero (2 goals, 7 assists with Eibar last year) joined the ship freely.