Real Madrid are back on La Liga duty on Saturday with RCD Espanyol the visitors at Santiago Bernabeu against the Spanish champions. With three wins and two draws from five games, Carlo Ancelotti’s men are unbeaten, but are still already four points off the pace being set by Barcelona at the summit. Los Blancos have dropped points against both Mallorca and Las Palmas away from home so they need to be wary that they do not get complacent against visitors that they are expected to beat comfortably. Wins over Real Betis and Real Sociedad as well as a UEFA Champions League victory over VfB Stuttgart means that they are on a good run of form with this game as well as Alaves and the Madrid derby against bitter rivals Atletico Madrid to come before a trip to France to face Lille in the UCL.
Unbeaten at home to Espanyol since 1996, Real have won their last three games against their Catalan visitors. Back in the top flight having risen via the playoffs, Espanyol are looking to avoid immediate relegation back to the second tier. Two opening losses have been followed by two wins and a draw which puts a more positive spin on things for Manolo Gonzalez and his players. Espanyol have shipped seven goals in their last two outings against Real and their seven La Liga wins against Los Blancos have all come at home.
Here’s our storylines, how you can watch the match and more:
By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge Paramount’s Privacy Policy.
Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe.
Thanks for signing up!
Keep an eye on your inbox.
Sorry!
There was an error processing your subscription.
How to watch and odds
- Date: Saturday, September 21 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Santiago Bernabeu – Madrid, Spain
- Watch: ESPN Deportes | Stream: Fubo (try for free)
- Odds: Real -650; Draw +700; Espanyol +1600
Story so far
Real are targeting three straight La Liga wins when they face their in-form visitors this weekend with Barca leading the way by four points. Ancelotti’s side have 11 points from five games and have won their last two leagues outings as well as their UEFA Champions League opener. Espanyol have won their last two to rise to 12th with seven points.
Team news
Real: Brahim Diaz, Dani Ceballos, Eduardo Camavinga and David Alaba ae all out. Jude Bellingham managed 80 minutes against Stuttgart post-injury and the England international should start again. Eder Militao should come in with Rodrygo alongside Mbappe and Vini Jr. up top. Endrick scored his second Real against Stuttgart to become their youngest UCL scorer ever but he is likely to stay as a susbstitute for now.
Possible Real XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius.
Espanyol: Gonzalez should name the same XI as the Alaves win with Puado’s hat-trick making him a nailed on starter. Alejo Veliz should continue in attack with one goal so far although Fernando Calero and Edu Exposito are unlikely to be available yet.
Possible Espanyol XI: J Garcia; El Hilali, Kumbulla, Cabrera, Romero; Tejero, Kral, Aguado, Carreras; Puado, Veliz.
Prediction
This should be a straightforward win for Real but Espanyol will hope to make life difficult for their hosts. A two-goal winning margin sounds about right with a 3-1 scoreline not to be ruled out. Pick: Real 2, Espanyol 0.
