Real Valladolid and Espanyol face each other on their return to the Primera División after having been promoted together in 2024. Both teams, who have experienced a constant coming and going between categories in recent years, are now looking for stability in the top flight of Spanish football.
Starting the season with a win will be crucial to their aspirations, and this clash promises to be an exciting duel between two historic clubs looking to reassert their place in LaLiga.
Real Valladolid will try to be more of a protagonist this season, seeking to build play from their defensive zone to attract rivals and exploit the spaces behind the opposing defense.
This strategy will be crucial if they are to prevail against an Espanyol side that has shown great defensive solidity, especially under the three-man centre-back system that allowed them to achieve promotion last season.
For its part, Espanyol will seek to maintain its defensive strength and take advantage of opportunities in attack through its dangerous wingers and forwards, who must be in tune to break down the Valladolid defence. The duel on the wings will be key, with Raúl Moro and Amath constantly looking to overtake and create danger from the byline.
Schedule: What time is the match played?
The match will be played on Monday, August 19, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at the José Zorrilla Stadium in Valladolid.
Spanish RCD. AP Agency
Where to watch Valladolid – Espanyol online and live on TV?
The match between Real Valladolid and Espanyol can be watched on DAZN LaLiga (channel 55), available on the DAZN platform. It will also be available on LaLiga TV Bar, a channel on the Movistar Plus platform.
You can also follow all the information in real time about the match, including statistics, comments and summaries, in La Razón.
Possible lineups
Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid, managed by Paulo Pezzolano, will likely field Rafús in goal, with Luis Pérez, Boyomo, Javi Sánchez and Rosa forming the defensive line. In midfield, Comert will act as a positional midfielder accompanied by Amallah and Kike Pérez.
In attack, Amath and Sylla will be tasked with creating danger from the wings, with Raúl Moro as the main offensive hope. However, the team will be without Anuar, who has undergone surgery for a hernia, and Ferreira due to suspension. In addition, Kenedy is not yet ready to participate.
RCD Espanyol
For their part, Espanyol, under the direction of Manolo González, could opt for a formation with five defenders. Joan García will be in charge of protecting the goal, with Omar El Hilali, Calero and Cabrera as the centre-backs, while Tejero and Carlos Romero will play as wing-backs.
In the midfield, Gragera, Pol Lozano and Král will be responsible for controlling the game and distributing the ball to the forwards Puado and Pere Milla.
Espanyol also have some notable absences, including Kambulla, who has not been called up, Kenneth Soler, who could go out on loan, and Edu Expósito, who remains injured and is not expected to return until November.
Players to watch
Raúl Moro is one of Valladolid’s standout players. His speed, quality and ability to unbalance his opponents make him a key player for the Blanquivioletas, and he will be one of the men to watch in this duel.
On the Espanyol side, Joan García, who recently won the gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, is one of the club’s great promises. Despite receiving offers from the Premier League, such as Arsenal, the goalkeeper has decided to continue at Espanyol, where he dreams of being the starting goalkeeper in the First Division.
This match represents much more than the first three points of the season. For Valladolid, it is the opportunity to show that they are ready to compete in the elite after their rapid return to Primera.
For Espanyol, it is the start of a new era under Manolo González, who is making his debut in the top flight and has worked hard to get to this point. Both teams are still fine-tuning their squads and could use more reinforcements, but with what they have, they will look to start the season with a victory that will give them confidence for what is to come.
