Espanyol vs Atletico Madrid prediction 17.08.2025 | La Liga

Interestingly, despite Atletico Madrid being a much better team in recent seasons, the last four h2h games ended as draws. Also, in that four-game stretch, we have seen fewer than three goals on three occasions - 75%. 

When it comes to games at RCDE Stadium, we have constantly seen close matches. In the last ten h2h games, we saw three wins for each team and four draws with an average of 2.3 goals per game. 

Espanyol have been very good defensively in the pre-season, keeping a clean sheet in three out of six matches. But those good defensive performances are hardly a surprise because they proved they are a good defensive team last year. That was especially the case at home, where they allowed 20 goals in 19 rounds - on par with Barcelona and just one goal more allowed than Real Madrid. But their offense was the problem. Because of good defense and pretty bad offense, they were under 2.5 goals in 63% of their home league games. 

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid were fantastic defensively last year, particularly away from home. There, they allowed only 14 goals in 19 rounds, which is by far the least in La Liga. Like Espanyol at home, Atletico Madrid were great for this bet away from home, as they were under 2.5 goals in 63% of their away league games. 

Also, three out of the last four h2h games ended with fewer than three goals. 

Considering all the above, an under 2.5 goals bet seems like the best option for this La Liga tie.

1. Last season, Espanyol went under 2.5 goals in 12 out of 19 home La Liga games
2. Atletico Madrid had the second-best defense in La Liga last year, with 30 conceded goals in 38 rounds
3. Three of the last four h2h games ended with fewer than three goals