Match Overview
Valencia welcome Espanyol in La Liga on Saturday looking to steady their campaign and keep clear of danger. Espanyol arrive with a solid points tally but an inconsistent recent scoring output. The last meeting finished 2-2, and recent clashes between these sides have often produced goals. With Valencia focused on control and Espanyol leaning on defensive resilience, margins could be fine.
- Fixture: Valencia vs Espanyol
- Competition: La Liga
- Venue: Not provided
- Date: 24-01-2026
- Kickoff: 15:15 / 15:15 UTC
Predicted Lineups
Valencia
- S. Dimitrievski
- José Gayà
- Copete
- D. Foulquier
- Jesús Vázquez
- Pepelu
- Javi Guerra
- B. Santamaria
- Andre Almeida
- Luis Rioja
- A. Danjuma
Espanyol
- M. Dmitrović
- L. Cabrera
- O. El Hilali
- Carlos Romero
- Fernando Calero
- Edu Expósito
- Pol Lozano
- Urko González
- C. Pickel
- T. Dolan
- Roberto Fernández
Injury & Suspension Report
Valencia
- Dani Raba — Achilles tendon injury
- Thierry Correia — Injury
- César Tárrega — Injury
- Julen Agirrezabala — Muscle injury
- M. Diakhaby — Muscle injury
- Cristian Rivero — Red card
- José Gayà — Yellow cards
Espanyol
- Javi Puado — Injury
- O. El Hilali — Yellow cards
Head-to-Head
These teams have met 61 times, with Valencia winning 25, Espanyol 20, and 16 draws. The last six meetings have averaged around three goals per game, including a 2-2 draw in their most recent clash on 23 September 2025.
Match Analysis & Prediction
Valencia’s recent home performances point to a pragmatic plan: manage tempo, protect the back line, and take chances when they arrive. They’ve scored five times across their last five home matches, including a 1-0 win over Getafe, and have generally avoided defeat against similarly placed opposition while keeping goals conceded down. Hugo Duro has been a reference point this season with six goals (four at home), while midfielders Pepelu, Javi Guerra, and Andre Almeida provide structure and control.
Espanyol lean on Marko Dmitrović’s away clean sheets
Espanyol’s away platform is built on defensive reliability, highlighted by goalkeeper Marko Dmitrović keeping six clean sheets in 11 road matches. Recent form shows two wins and a draw in five but only four goals scored, underlining a conservative attacking trend. With Edu Expósito and Pol Lozano anchoring midfield and P. Milla contributing six goals across the campaign, the visitors can be efficient, yet chance creation has been streaky.
Valencia need sharper play to stay clear of danger
Valencia enter on 20 points and cannot afford missed opportunities. Their shape and possession game are sound, but they must accelerate in the final third through Luis Rioja and A. Danjuma to disrupt Espanyol’s compact block. Availability management matters given the injury list and card notes, especially across the defensive unit, where stability is crucial for their game plan.
Head-to-head trends suggest goals, but current form hints at a tighter contest: Valencia’s measured approach against Espanyol’s disciplined away setup. Set pieces and transitions could decide it, and the hosts will look to Duro’s penalty-box instincts if he features, while Espanyol will trust Dmitrović and a structured midfield screen. Prediction: a low-scoring draw feels most likely.
Prediction: Valencia 1-1 Espanyol