Leganes vs RCD Espanyol Best odds and tips

Leganes and Espanyol meet on Sunday in a La Liga 2024/2025 clash that could be a close contest between two clubs in need of points to achieve their respective goals. Leganes are on a run of three straight league draws that included a battling 2-2 away draw at Sevilla just three days ago. Espanyol have lost back-to-back matches, 1-0 at Villarreal and 1-2 at home against Betis, to lose a little momentum. Leganes are the bookies' favourites here at 2.429 with Espanyol 3.56 and the draw 3.215, which seems a little surprising given the hosts have failed to win their last three home games against Espanyol.

Borja Jimenez, who took over at Butarque in June 2023, has made Leganes a tougher nut to crack by setting them up to be compact and pragmatic. The players have responded to his tactical conservatism and have been tough to break down, but they have also lost their momentum and are struggling to win games. Espanyol, who are managed by Manolo Gonzalez since March 2024, are a more balanced side with a little more flexibility in their style of play. They are patient and try to build up play, but they are not an expansive or aggressive team and are more likely to win games through organisation and solidity. The contrast in styles could lead to a tense affair with Leganes trying to frustrate Espanyol and the visitors trying to find a way through. A draw looks the most likely outcome here, although a home win could be possible if either Munir El Haddadi or Daniel Raba can find their shooting boots.

Munir has scored two of Leganes’ last four league goals while Raba leads the line with seven from 25 La Liga appearances this term. Roberto Fernandez has three in Espanyol’s last five games and Javier Puado has been their most clinical player in attack with 11 from 31 La Liga games this season. Espanyol have won one, drawn one and lost one of their last three away league games, which is a decent return for a team that has won only three, drawn three and lost 11 of 17 on the road in La Liga 2024/2025. Leganes have won five, drawn four and lost eight of 17 at Butarque, so home advantage doesn’t look like helping them much here. The hosts concede an average of 1.47 goals per home league game, so they will have to stay compact to keep Espanyol at bay. Backing under 2.5 goals looks a strong alternative to the draw here, given both teams have been struggling for goals and neither will want to lose.