Valladolid – Espanyol: Less than 2.5 goals in the match

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August 19, 2024

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Our pick: Valladolid – Espanyol: Fewer than 2.5 goals in the match.

19.08.2024 19:00

In the first round of the new season, two newcomers will meet. While the hosts earned their quick return to the elite by finishing second in the final table of the second league, Espanyol fought their way back to LaLiga (also after just one year) through the play-offs (they were fourth after the regular season). The last time the two teams ran into each other was in May, when a goalless draw in Valladolid resulted in the 39th round of the second league.

Espanyol lost the top scorer of the entire competition in the summer, with Danish striker Martin Braithwaite swapping Barcelona for a loan deal with Brazilian side Grêmio. The missing 22 goals will now be replaced by new arrivals Cardona (Augsburg) and Veliz (Tottenham). Czech midfielder Alex Kral is also among the reinforcements.

Valladolid also suffered some losses over the summer. Monchu, Sergio Escudero and Jordi Masip were among the busiest players in the squad last season, now they are all gone. The club has turned some guest appearances into permanent transfers, but one can expect that perhaps Valladolid will still bring in a few new faces to make the squad competitive in the elite competition.

What to bet on:

The two rivals may well be competing in a tough rescue fight and from that perspective the first round and their clash is very important. Both sides are missing important players from last season and it may take a while for things to settle down without them and new leaders to crystallize. It probably won’t be a football treat yet on Monday. Not many goals are likely to fall.

Confidence:

7/10

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