La Liga Preview: Espanyol - Valencia
After a dominating performance on Wednesday, Unai Emery's men are hoping to secure the three points ahead of Thursday's Europa League semifinal showdown.
By Roger Gonzalez
Getty Images
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PROBABLE LINEUPS |
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ESPANYOL
 Casilla Lopez, Rodriguez, Moreno, Didac Baena, Gomez Weiss, Verdu, Garcia Uche |
VALENCIA
 Guaita Barragan, Rami, Costa, Mathieu Maduro, Parejo Hernandez, Canales, Piatti Aduriz |
Espanyol will be without two of its most important players as Philippe Coutinho and Juan Forlin both saw red cards last time out against Osasuna. Raul Rodriguez looks set to replace the Argentine in defense, with Vladimir Weiss looking to take the spot of the young Brazilian.
There was doubt as to whether Sergio Garcia would play after limping off in the 2-0 loss in midweek with injury. He did practice on Friday and looks set to start in this one.
For Valencia, Unai Emery may aim to rest a few players ahead of Thursday's Europa League semifinal match at Atletico Madrid. With the recent returns of Hedwiges Maduro and Sergio Canales from injuries that kept them out for months, the Spanish tactician may look to rotate his squad ahead of the European game.
Roberto Soldado, who is recovering from injury, has stated that he wants to play in this match, but he could be left on the bench with Aritz Aduriz starting as the former Real Madrid man is not fully fit.
On the injury front, Ever Banega is still out with a long-term ankle knock he suffered in February when he ran himself over with his own car. Victor Ruiz aims to return after missing the last match with a minor problem.
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DID YOU KNOW? |
Espanyol is in 10th place in the league with 42 points and are just four behind Osasuna for the last Europa League spot.
- Mauricio Pochettino's men are winless in their last five games, losing two and drawing three.
- The hosts last beat Los Che nearly four years go, winning 3-0 at home.
- Valencia is in third place in the league with 52 points.
- After a poor run of form starting in late May that saw the club lose three of four, Unai Emery's side hasn't been defeated in April. The team has two wins totaling eight goals and also earned an impressive draw at Real Madrid on April 8.
- Unai Emery's side is in the Europa League semifinals, where it will play Atletico Madrid in two legs on April 19 and April 26.
Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
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Espanyol 1-3 Valencia
- 21.19 %
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Espanyol 0-2 Valencia
- 19.21 %
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Espanyol 1-2 Valencia
- 15.89 %
| La Liga (LIGA) | Apr 13, 2013 | Espanyol 3 - Valencia 3 |
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| La Liga (LIGA) | Nov 17, 2012 | Valencia 2 - Espanyol 1 |
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| La Liga (LIGA) | Apr 15, 2012 | Espanyol 4 - Valencia 0 |
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| La Liga (LIGA) | Dec 3, 2011 | Valencia 2 - Espanyol 1 |
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| La Liga (LIGA) | May 11, 2011 | Espanyol 2 - Valencia 2 |
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Espanyol
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| May 19, 2013 | Deportivo 2 - Espanyol 0 | LIGA |
| May 11, 2013 | Espanyol 1 - Real Madrid 1 | LIGA |
| May 5, 2013 | Sevilla 3 - Espanyol 0 | LIGA |
| Apr 28, 2013 | Espanyol 0 - Ciudad de Murcia 1 | LIGA |
| Apr 21, 2013 | Getafe 0 - Espanyol 2 | LIGA |
Valencia
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| May 18, 2013 | Getafe 0 - Valencia 1 | LIGA |
| May 12, 2013 | Rayo Vallecano 0 - Valencia 4 | LIGA |
| May 4, 2013 | Valencia 4 - Osasuna 0 | LIGA |
| Apr 28, 2013 | Real Sociedad 4 - Valencia 2 | LIGA |
| Apr 20, 2013 | Valencia 5 - Malaga 1 | LIGA |
| 25 | Cristian ALvarez | Goalkeeper |
| 35 | Dídac Vilà | Defender |
| 15 | Héctor Moreno | Defender |
| 3 | Raúl Rodríguez | Defender |
| 7 | Raúl Baena | Midfielder |
| 30 | Cristian Gómez | Midfielder |
| 16 | Javier López Rodríguez | Defender |
| 17 | Vladimir Weiss | Midfielder |
| 10 | Verdú | Midfielder |
| 9 | Kalu Uche | Striker |
| 9 | Sergio García | Striker |
| 13 | Kiko Casilla | Goalkeeper |
| 5 | Jordi Amat | Defender |
| 22 | Romaric | Midfielder |
| 26 | Víctor Sánchez Mata | Midfielder |
| 35 | RUI Fonte | Striker |
| 20 | Álvaro | Striker |
| - | Pandiani | Striker |
| 13 | Guaita | Goalkeeper |
| 4 | Adil Rami | Defender |
| 12 | Barragán | Defender |
| 18 | Jordi Alba | Defender |
| 20 | Ricardo Costa | Defender |
| 22 | Jérémy Mathieu | Defender |
| 5 | Mehmet Topal | Midfielder |
| 11 | Pablo Hernández | Midfielder |
| 21 | Parejo | Midfielder |
| 24 | Tino Costa | Midfielder |
| 7 | Jonas | Striker |
| 1 | Diego Alves | Goalkeeper |
| 6 | Hedwiges Maduro | Defender |
| 18 | Víctor Ruiz | Defender |
| 6 | Albelda | Midfielder |
| 8 | Sofiane Feghouli | Midfielder |
| 16 | Canales | Midfielder |
| 23 | Aritz Aduriz Zubeldia | Striker |
Results
Times In EDT
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
Cancelled
Postponed
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Lionel Messi Striker Barcelona |
46 | 4 |
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Cristiano Ronaldo Striker Real Madrid |
34 | 6 |
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Radamel Falcao Striker Atlético de Madrid |
28 | 8 |
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Roberto Soldado Striker Valencia |
21 | 5 |
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Negredo Striker Sevilla |
20 | 3 |
