Espanyol are looking to pull away from the relegation places
On Monday, La Liga will see a clash between two teams from the bottom of the table. However, the winner in this duel can make a very big leap forward
Ahead of the Espanyol Barcelona vs Cadiz match, the betting odds certainly indicate an advantage for the hosts. Espanyol, promoted in La Liga, are not playing too bad a season so far. The next step should now follow and from the bottom it should go into the secure midfield.
Cadiz need to strengthen, especially in the attacking area, although that has also been the case for the home side so far. The game kicks off on Monday night at 9pm.
Espanyol Barcelona – Statistics & current form
Nine points from the first eight games in La Liga are not bad odds for a promoted side. Espanyol Barcelona has some exciting players in the squad and with Vicente Moreno a coach who is gradually ensuring further development. Just how well the promoted team can play football was demonstrated immediately before the international break when Real Madrid were beaten 2-1.
A victory like that can create lasting enthusiasm and euphoria. The odds of the best bookmakers agree that Espanyol are favourites against Cadiz. The club has won seven of its nine points this season at home and has not lost three of its last four games.
So there are a lot of encouraging statistics. In addition, the programme is moderate with Cadiz, Elche, Bilbao and Getafe in the next few weeks. That is always a factor in taking advantage of a good phase. So if the promoted team maintains its own development, it can quickly free itself from the critical zone.
Compactness as a recipe for success – the defence stands
Important for the success so far is the defensive performance. Espanyol Barcelona have never conceded more than two goals, and have even gone three times without conceding a goal. Compactness is important for the coach and the team because it is the basis. Going forward, there is automatically an opportunity when there are many ball wins. The hosts have been playing according to this pattern so far, and it’s working.
The downside, of course, is that the promoted team does not stand for spectacle. Espanyol Barcelona have never scored more than two goals of their own so far this season, and have failed to score four times. As long as such results are achieved, however, this is not a big problem for the hosts.
Of course, the offensive statistics also have an influence on the expected result. Before the match between Espanyol Barcelona and Cadiz, our prediction is that less than 2.5 goals will be scored in total. However, it is quite possible that the hosts will live up to their role as favourites according to our value tip.
Predicted line-up of Espanyol Barcelona:
Diego Lopez – Gil, Cabrera, Calero, Pedrosa – David Lopez, Darder, Morlanes, Puado, Embarba – de Tomas
Last matches played by Espanyol Barcelona:
Cadiz – Statistics & current form
For Cadiz, this season in La Liga is once again all about staying in the league. Individually, there are some better teams, this problem must be concealed with passion and a lot of work. This has been achieved very well from time to time this season. For example, before the international break, when Valencia was held to a 0-0 draw.
Coach Alvaro Cervera’s team knows how to play in the underdog role. The compact 4-4-2 allows them to put pressure on the ball while making the spaces tight. Four of their seven points this season have come away from home, and Cadiz’s only win this season has come away from home.
Like Espanyol Barcelona, Cadiz have not lost in their last four games. In addition to the 0:0 against Valencia, there was also a goalless draw against FC Barcelona. So the visitors should definitely not be underestimated.
Cadiz: A point would be a success
Cadiz is a classic point collector so far, who will also gladly take a draw against relegation. At the RCDE Stadium, the visitors will try to keep Espanyol Barcelona entangled in duels and stop the flow of the game. Offensively, the experienced Negredo is the main focus, who brings a good mixture of good positional play and the necessary force.
However, the main focus for the visitors is also on defence. That applies to both teams. Therefore, before the game Espanyol Barcelona vs. Cadiz, our tip is that less than 2.5 goals will be scored. This has been the case in five of the eight games involving Cadiz this season.
Predicted line-up of Cadiz:
Ledesma – Cacelen, Haroyan, Fali, Arzamendia – Alarcon, Jönsson, Sanchez, Chapela – Alejo, Negredo
Last matches played by Cadiz:
Espanyol Barcelona – Cadiz Direct comparison / H2H balance
30 matches have been played between these two teams, with Espanyol Barcelona coming out on top 13 times. Cadiz, meanwhile, have won eight and drawn nine. In the last five matches, there has been no clear-cut picture, with Cadiz winning three times and Espanyol on two wins in that period.
Espanyol Barcelona – Cadiz Tip
A spectacle is by no means expected at the RCDE Stadium on Monday night. Espanyol Barcelona may be favourites, but they face two teams that primarily value defence. There haven’t been many goals in the games involving these teams so far either, so don’t expect that again
The winner of this match can take a big step out of the critical zone. That would be significant to move sustainably in the midfield of the table. Before the game Espanyol Barcelona vs. Cadiz our tip is that less than 2.5 goals will be scored.
