Valladolid vs Espanyol Predictions

• Valladolid have lost just two of their 11 home league games this term (W2, D7 and L2). Both defeats were by a 0-1 margin, against leaders Real Madrid and fifth placed Sevilla.
• Espanyol have won just one of their last seven La Liga matches on the road (W1, D1 and L5).
• In nine La Liga matches immediately following their Europa League games this term, Espanyol have won one, drawn two and lost six. Periquitos were back in European action on Thursday night, losing 4-0 against Premier League outfit Wolves.

Espanyol derailed in Europa League

Espanyol have now lost just one of their last six La Liga matches (W2, D3 and L1) following a highly credible 2-2 draw at fifth placed Sevilla last weekend, and they remain just two points away from safety going into this weekend’s clash against Valladolid.

But confidence will have dropped significantly in the Periquitos camp ahead of their trip to Jose Zorrilla on Sunday, following a 4-0 thrashing against Premier League side Wolves in the Europa League on Thursday evening.

Abelardo’s charges were given a real showing up at Molineux, and that is bound to affect their mind-set here against a tough Valladolid team who have lost just twice at home this season.

There’s already a ton of evidence to suggest that Espanyol struggle to cope with midweek fixtures after losing six of the nine La Liga games they have played this season immediately after turning out in Europe, so the visitors look opposable this Sunday, especially after losing five of their last seven La Liga outings on the road.

Valladolid continue to stutter

Valladolid have now won just one of their last 12 La Liga games (W1, D6 and L5) after a 2-1 defeat against Granada at Los Carmenes on Matchday 24; the result leaving Sergio’s side 15^th and just five points clear of the bottom three.

Pucela need a victory fast to ease their relegation concerns and to boost morale, with 18^th placed Mallorca being the only team that they have bested since early November.

This Sunday’s contest at Jose Zorrilla is one which Valladolid will have earmarked for an important three points, and their overall home form certainly suggests that they should at least claim something from the game.

Valladolid have been defeated just twice in their 11 league matches this at Jose Zorrilla this term (W2, D7 and L2), losing only to leaders Real Madrid and fifth placed Sevilla, who both pinched 0-1 victories. Sergio’s charges aren’t exactly flashy but they are very difficult to beat on their own turf, and they will have an additional psychological boost this weekend after overcoming Espanyol 0-2 in September’s reverse fixture.

Back the hosts to hold firm at Jose Zorrilla

Valladolid’s barren run of six home matches without a win is an obvious concern when trying to unpick this tricky puzzle ahead of Sunday afternoon, but the hosts are given the overall edge based on their tenacious displays and lack of defeats at Jose Zorrilla.

On top of this, Espanyol have won just one of their last seven away league games, losing five, while they have a dismal next time out record this season after playing in Europe.

The possibility of another flat display from Espanyol is increased by the manner of their defeat against Wolves in midweek, and it will be mightily difficult for Periquitos to turn themselves around mentally in such a short space of time, especially as they know they’re in for a real battle against Valladolid.

Pucela should be considered in the double chance market for any weekend accumulators, but we’re tempted to take a punt on Sergio’s side in the ‘Draw No Bet’ market at better odds. Valladolid’s win ratio is low, but we strongly expect them to avoid defeat which at least ensures a returned stake.

A third home victory of the campaign is distinctly possible though after Periquitos were so royally knocked off their perch on Thursday, so we’re also predicting a 1-0 scoreline in favour of the hosts.