La Liga Preview: Real Valladolid vs Espanyol – Which Promoted Team Will Come Out on Top?

On August 20th at 1 AM, the first round of La Liga matches will see two promoted teams face off, with Real Valladolid hosting Espanyol. Over the past few seasons, the development trajectories of both teams have been almost identical, and their strengths are also very similar. Who will come out on top in this encounter?

Real Valladolid saw a lot of personnel changes during the summer transfer window, but lost their core player Monchu from last season’s Segunda campaign. However, last season’s top scorer Mamadou Sylla and number 10 Iván Sánchez stayed with the team. After Espanyol’s promotion back to the top flight, their top scorer Martin Braithwaite left the club, and they brought in Tottenham’s forward Troy Parrott and Owen Cadogan on loan to fill the void left by Braithwaite.

Last season in the Segunda División, the two teams finished in 2nd and 4th place respectively, with only 3 points separating them, which also indicates that there is not much difference in paper strength. Real Valladolid achieved direct promotion, while Espanyol returned to La Liga through two rounds of playoff tests.

It’s worth noting that both teams have had identical rhythms over the past few years, being relegated simultaneously after the 2022-23 season and returning to La Liga together after the 2023-24 season.

Real Valladolid played five pre-season friendlies, achieving three wins, one draw, and one loss in regular time, with their most recent match ending in a 2-0 victory against Toulouse. Espanyol played four friendlies, ending the preparation period with one win, two draws, and one loss, including a 0-0 draw against Toulouse.

In the last ten encounters between the two teams, Real Valladolid and Espanyol have drawn even with four wins, two draws, and four losses each. Last season in the Segunda División, Espanyol maintained an undefeated record with one win and one draw against Real Valladolid. In the Copa del Rey, Espanyol eliminated Real Valladolid. During the 2022-23 La Liga season, both teams won their respective home games.

Considering the development trajectory of both teams over the past few seasons and their final standings in last season’s Segunda División, both sides are evenly matched in terms of strength. In terms of head-to-head records, recent results have also been evenly split. The home advantage for Real Valladolid may be the only favorable factor in this encounter.

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