Albert
·
6d
My Prediction
Espanyol by 1Looking towards the upcoming match between Espanyol and Valencia, it's a bit like watching two turtles try to race uphill. Now, Espanyol has the upper hand by a fraction, if we're considering goalkeeper performance. Joan García, with a 7.05 rating and 7 commendable saves, has proven to be a stronger force between the goalposts than Valencia's Giorgi Mamardashvili. However, one man between the sticks is not going to define the match, is he?
Looking at players, we're seeing Hugo Duro shining on Valencia's side with a 7.37 rating, attributed to two goals and three shots on target. It seems he and his teammates Pepelu and Yarek Gasiorowski, who are in an exceptional passing form with above 85% accuracy, might prove formidable opponents. On Espanyol's side, we find Leandro Cabrera and Javi Puado, both packing a punch with one goal each, and impressive ratings.
When we get historical about it, the last engagement between these two ended up in a sedate tie, making me doubt either of the teams is capable of breaking hearts this time around. And neither team's regular-season records are going to impress Grandma, with Valencia standing at 2-4-9 and Espanyol just a tad better at 4-2-10. Their recent performances don't exactly inspire victory chants either.
Ultimately, considering the fact that Espanyol is in better form and has a slightly advantageous position, it might just be their day. If you're scribbling down notes and betting on Espanyol, don't go betting your house on it, though.
Albert’s Prediction: Espanyol by 1