Racing Santander vs Espanyol Prediction & Betting Tips

Mixed form on both sides

Racing Santander's La Liga campaign has been up and down. They beat Alaves and Elche and drew with Villarreal, but their last two outings brought heavy away defeats, shipping five at Celta Vigo and seven at Barcelona.

Racing Santander: 20 completed matches; Espanyol: 20 completed matches.

Racing Santander

20 matches

Win

40% 8 / 20

Draw

25% 5 / 20

Loss

35% 7 / 20

Scored

35

Conceded

39

Difference

-4

Espanyol

20 matches

Win

30% 6 / 20

Draw

30% 6 / 20

Loss

40% 8 / 20

Scored

30

Conceded

26

Difference

+4

Espanyol have looked a touch steadier overall, with wins over Osasuna and Levante and a draw with Sevilla, but they've also lost their last two matches, away at Rayo Vallecano and at home to Elche.

Comparative Team Statistics: Racing Santander vs Espanyol

History doesn't tell us much

The two recent meetings between these sides came in the Segunda División, both won by Racing, but that was a different level of football for both clubs.

Beyond that, the head-to-head record stretches back well over a decade, so it has little bearing on how either team lines up now.

Level in the table

These two sit level on points after seven league games each, with Espanyol holding a better goal difference and a slightly higher position at this stage.

It's a reminder that neither club has pulled clear of a tricky start to the season, so there's no obvious gap in quality between them right now.

Key men to watch

Racing's M. Zabiri and Espanyol's Roberto Fernández have both scored six goals in seven appearances, so each side has a reliable source of goals.

Racing Santander:

Best scorers:

M. Zabiri - 6

Penalty cards:

André Almeida x 1

M. Zabiri x 4

Espanyol:

Best scorers:

Roberto Fernández - 6

Best assist providers:

Javier Hernandez - 4

Penalty cards:

O. El Hilali x 1 x 1

Javier Hernandez has added four assists for Espanyol, showing they can create chances as well as finish them. On discipline, Zabiri and Espanyol's Álex Calatrava and C. Riedel have already picked up a handful of yellow cards, and O. El Hilali has seen red once this season.

Goals could flow at both ends

Given how leaky both defences have looked this season, and with each side's top scorer finding the net regularly, this has the makings of an open contest.

Racing have been exposed against stronger attacking sides recently, and Espanyol have shipped goals in three of their last four matches too, so neither defence looks fully settled.