Real Madrid vs Espanyol Match Preview: Team news, possible lineups, predictions & H2H
Real Madrid vs Espanyol Match Preview: Team news, possible lineups, predictions & H2H. Reigning champions Real Madrid will aim to extend their winning streak to four games in all competitions, when they battle Espanyol in La Liga on Saturday evening.
The Los Blancos spluttered during their Champions League triumph over Stuttgart, eventually securing a 3-1 victory after goals from Kylian Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger and Endrick ensured they wrap up all three points.
Back home in Spain’s top flight, Carlo Ancelotti‘s side trail Barcelona by four points after drawing two of their five opening matches.
Their upcoming opponents have turned their fortunes around after being beaten in their first two La Liga fixtures. Espanyol held Atletico Madrid to a goalless draw, before beating both Rayo Vallecano and Alaves.
Here’s our preview of Saturday night’s clash at the Bernabeu.
What time does Real Madrid vs Espanyol kick-off?
Location: Madrid, Spain
Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Date: Saturday 21 September
Kick-off Time: 20:00 BST / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
Referee: Jose Luis Munuera Montero
VAR: Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea
Real Madrid vs Espanyol H2H Record;
Real Madrid: 4 wins
Espanyol: 1 win
Draws: 0
Last meeting: Real Madrid 3-1 Espanyol (11 March 2023) – La Liga
Real Madrid team news
Madrid manager Ancelotti could look at making a few changes after the midweek success over Stuttgart.
Dani Carvajal started in central defence but may move back to his signature right-back role with Eder Militao partnering Antonio Rudiger. One of Aurelien Tchouameni or Jude Bellingham could be rested in midfield, with stalwart Luka Modric coming into the starting XI.
The front three of Rodrygo, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior will likely start again as they aim to continue developing as a feared new-look trio up front.
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Espanyol
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Espanyol (4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Bellingham, Modric, Valverde; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius.
Espanyol team news
Espanyol boss Manolo Gonzalez won’t be able to call upon Fernando Calero or Edu Exposito as he plots his side’s first win at the Bernabeu since 1996.
Key to their hopes will be 26-year-old forward Javi Puado, whose hat-trick secured the Periquitos a 3-2 victory over Alaves last time out. He could be joined up front by Tottenham Hotspur loanee Alejo Veliz or Morocco international Walid Cheddira.
Espanyol predicted lineup vs Real Madrid
Espanyol predicted lineup vs Real Madrid (3-5-2): Garcia; Hilali, Cabrera, Kumbulla; Tejero, Aguado, Gragera, Kral, Romero; Veliz, Puado.
Real Madrid vs Espanyol score prediction
Madrid are definitely still searching for some attacking fluency but that hasn’t hampered their dogged mentality, going undefeated in their seven matches so far this season.
Mbappe and Vinicius will get another chance to learn each other’s games and a true thrashing would undoubtedly go down a treat with the Bernabeu faithful.
However, Espanyol have proved to be stern opposition so far and will be in good spirits as they travel to the Spanish capital. Madrid should pick up all three points relatively comfortably, but the scoreline may be modest.
Prediction: Real Madrid 3-0 Espanyol
