Espanyol, Malaga, Prediction
Espanyol clash with Malaga at Estadi Cornellà-El Prat on the La Liga matchday 2.
Although Espanyol are one of the most successful sides in La Liga history, they showed nothing extraordinary last season. No wonder, they ended up in the second half of the standings. Espanyol took 13th spot in the table with 43 points earned and 40:74 goal difference. We should mention the hosts changed their head coach this summer, as they appointed Watford’s Quique Sanchez Flores. On top of that, Espanyol were beaten by Sevilla in the first round of the La Liga. Remarkably, that match ended in favor of Sampaoli’s side, who secured amazing 6:4 victory.
Despite being rather ambitious side, Malaga achieved nothing last season as they failed to qualify for the eurocups. The visitors finished one-step away from their goal. Malaga took 8th position with 48 points earned and 38:35 goal difference. We should say the visitors tied newly-promoted Osasuna 1:1 in the first game of the season.
Remarkably, Espanyol have advantage over Malaga in the head-to-head record. We should point out Flores’s side tied their today’s opponents 1:1 in the last encounter. Last season, Espanyol were solid at home and much better than Malaga on the road. We are sticking with the hosts.
