Does the underdog stand a chance? Prediction for Espanyol vs Pau — 21.07.2026
On Tuesday, July 21, 2026, Espanyol will play their second pre-season friendly as they gear up for the new campaign. The clash with French side Pau is set for 19:30 local time—20:30 Kyiv time—at the Municipal de Peralada stadium. Both teams have kicked off the off-season on a high: the Catalans thrashed Olot 3-0, while the Ligue 2 outfit has already racked up two clean-sheet victories.
Espanyol: confident first test and extensive rotation
Manolo Gonzalez's side finished last season 12th in La Liga, collecting 46 points from 38 rounds. The Catalans didn't feature in the European race but comfortably retained their top-flight status and are now gradually refreshing the squad ahead of the new campaign.
In their opening summer friendly, Espanyol confidently dispatched Olot 3-0. Bauza broke the deadlock in the first half, with Marcos Fernandez and Roberto Fernandez sealing the win late on. After the break, the coaching staff made ten substitutions at once, effectively giving minutes to two different lineups.
Several newcomers made their debuts in that match, including Jan Virgili Calatrava, Kyle Hart, and Jose Gragera Moscardo. Despite the raft of changes, Espanyol maintained control and looked particularly impressive in the final third of the game, as fresher legs consistently exploited gaps in the opponent’s defense.
The main confirmed absence for the Catalans remains Javi Puado. The club captain underwent surgery in January after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and is still recovering. His return is not expected before the closing stages of 2026, so Manolo Gonzalez is forced to test out attacking combinations without one of his leaders during pre-season.
Against Pau, the coaching staff will most likely once again spread the minutes among a large number of players. At this stage, assessing physical condition and testing new partnerships is the priority, but the squad’s depth should help the Spanish side maintain a high tempo even after wholesale changes.
Pau: two clean-sheet wins amid squad overhaul
The French club finished last season ninth in Ligue 2 with 45 points. Now under the guidance of Thierry Debes, Pau are simultaneously preparing the squad for the league and restructuring after summer departures.
Pau’s early results are promising. First, they edged Real Sociedad 1-0 in a closed-door friendly thanks to a goal from Thomas Pouye, then routed Tarbes 3-0. Lefevre bagged a brace in the latter, with Settel adding another. That’s two wins from two, with no goals conceded so far this pre-season.
Still, it’s too early to draw firm conclusions. Against Tarbes, Pau fielded a young and experimental lineup, and several potential newcomers weren’t ready to feature. Additionally, Openda left that match early, and his availability for the Espanyol game remains uncertain.
Another notable loss was Ryan Touzghar’s move to Standard Liege. The versatile midfielder made 35 appearances last season, scoring three and assisting three. His departure reduces Pau’s proven options in central midfield, especially given the ongoing pre-season rotation.
Key facts ahead of the match
- Espanyol won their first pre-season game 3-0.
- Pau have claimed two pre-season victories with a combined score of 4-0.
- The Catalans made ten substitutions after the break against Olot.
- The French side are still rebuilding and recently lost one of their key midfielders.
- Both teams are in the early stages of pre-season, so starting lineups are far from settled.
Stronger bench to aid the favorite after the break: Espanyol vs Pau prediction
Pau approach this match in good spirits and have already shown they can play organized, disciplined football without the ball. The French side will try to stay compact, limit space between the lines, and use rapid transitions to threaten on the break. Early on, this approach could pose problems for the Catalans.
However, Espanyol’s advantage isn’t just superior individual quality—it’s also their squad depth. Against Olot, Manolo Gonzalez’s men noticeably upped the tempo after wholesale substitutions, scoring twice late on. A similar scenario could play out against Pau: as intensity drops, the Spaniards should find it easier to create chances with fresh attacking players.
Pau already boast two clean sheets, so Espanyol shouldn’t expect a walk in the park. Still, changes in central midfield and Openda’s possible absence tip the scales in the La Liga side’s favor for the second half.
Prediction: Espanyol win.
