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RCD Espanyol host Granada at the RCDE Stadium on September 2, 2019, as the Spanish La Liga 2019/20 season continues.
RCD Espanyol
Reial Club DeportiuEspanyol was founded in 1800 and is owned by the Rastar Group. This club has been known for its mediocrity but in a surprise, it finished in 7th place during the last La Liga season.
Espanyol has won the Copa del Rey a total of four times and they finished as runners-up in five other instances. The Perequitos have not won the La Liga but were Segunda Division champions in 1994. When it comes to European competition, Espanyol was twice runners-up of the UEFA Cup.
With Borj Iglesias no longer here, I think the player to watch for Espanyol would be Sergi Darder. The 25-year old midfielder from Arta, Spain scored four goals and issued five assists in 34 matches played during the previous term. With Iglesias’ departure, Darder will have to find another striker to pass to this season.
Marc Roca was the key to the team’s attack last season. The 22-year old was also a sound defender and will be expected to play a significant role this season. This defensive midfielder moves the ball well around and is good at finding that killer pass. Roca should be a key player for Gallego’s possession-based football style.
Granada
Granada Club Futbol was founded in 1931 and was the third Andalucian club to compete in La Liga after Betis and Sevilla. In the historical points classification of the First Division, this club is ranked 24th after playing in 20 seasons and finishing in sixth place on two instances.
They have never won the La Liga but have won the Segunda Division and the Segunda B Division a total of three times each. They also finished as runners-up in the 1958/59 Copa del Rey and won the Andalucia Cup in 1933. Last season, Granada finished second in the Segunda Division but lost in the second round of the Copa del Rey. However, that effort was good enough to send them back to La Liga after two years.
Alvaro Vadillo was Granada’s best creator last season with a total of 11 assists which was second-most in the Segunda Division last season. The 24-year old has recovered from a pair of ACL injuries which hampered his growth in Real Betis. The injuries led him to Granada and he looks like he’s found himself a home here.
The signing of Yangel Herrera from Manchester City is a great move for Granada. Although Herrera is only 21-years old, he has featured prominently for the Venezuelan national team and he also got to play valuable La Liga minutes with Huesca late last season.
Who Wins?
RCD Espanyol has lost just once in their last 10 matches across all competitions. Espanyol is 5-4-1 SU in their last 10 games played. On the other hand, Granada is also 5-4-1 SU in their last 10 matches. Head to head, Espanyol has lost just once in their last 10 matches against Granda. The Peruquitos are 7-2-1 SU in their last 10 meetings, including 3-0 SU in their last three encounters. They enter this match as the soccer betting favorites to beat Granada.
Espanyol is in a tough spot this season with the departure of their top scorer and head coach. Borja Iglesias left for Real Betis and he took with him 17 goals scored last season. Also heading to Real Betis is coach Joan Francesc “Ruby” Ferrer who took the team to greater heights last season. Likewise, Mario Hermoso-the best defender in the club left for Atletico Madrid.
Despite suffering key losses, the Barcelona outfit has added players like Fernando Calero, Matias Vargas, Andres Prieto, and Ander Iturraspe. They have also promoted Adria Pedrosa and have given the coaching job back to David Gallego. With these moves, the team looks ready for this season’s grind and a new challenge.
I expect a tough match here with Espanyol surely fighting to find their form with many new pieces. I don’t think they will finish as high as they did the last time out but when it comes to beating Granada, I think they have that club’s number and I think Gallego will make the necessary adjustments to win this match for the home team. Prediction: RCD Espanyol
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