Verdict: Real Madrid win & Both teams to score
Best Odds: 2/1
Bookmaker: Luckster
Looking to extend their buffer at the top of the La Liga table, Real Madrid will travel to the Stage Front Stadium when they meet Espanyol on Saturday night.
Espanyol
Starting with the hosts, while Espanyol might have made their La Liga return this season, the Parakeets have a real battle on their hands in the race to keep hold of their top-flight status. Despite claiming a crucial 2-1 victory against Real Valladolid on January 17th, Manolo Gonzalez’s side still find themselves sat in the drop zone. Mustering just a single victory from any of their previous eight appearances across all competitions. Shockingly crashing out of the Copa del Rey on December 3rd as they fell to a 2-0 loss at the hands of fourth-tier outfit Barbastro, Espanyol will be bracing themselves for a stern examination this weekend. Hit with a routine 4-1 drumming when they travelled to Los Blancos for their reverse La Liga showdown on September 21st, they hold a nightmare record against the defending champions. In fact, the Parakeets have lost each of their previous four meetings by an aggregate score of 14-2.
Espanyol Team News
All still dealing with respective injury issues, Espanyol will once again be without the trio of Jose Catala, Pablo Ramon and former Sporting Gijon starlet Jose Gragera this weekend. Sustaining a hamstring injury away at Sevilla last weekend, ex-Cadiz defender Brian Olivine will miss out on Saturday night.
Finding the net on his Espanyol debut against Real Valladolid on January 17th, Braga loanee Roberto Fernandez Jaen should partner Javi Puado in attack. Continuing to receive plenty of plaudits this season, Albanian international Marash Kumbulla will start at the heart of Gonzalez’s defence.
Real Madrid
As for the visitors, while Real Madrid might have suffered major Super Cup heartbreak on January 12th as they slumped to a 5-2 drumming against arch-rivals Barcelona, Los Blancos have come roaring back in some style. Signing off their Champions League group stage campaign with a routine 3-0 romp against French outfit Brest, Carlo Ancelotti’s men have now won each of their previous five appearances across all competitions. Last seen in La Liga action claiming another 3-0 victor against Valladolid, Saturday’s guests have also found a real clinical edge in the final third. Getting this weekend’s fixtures underway holding a four-point buffer over the chasing pack, Real Madrid will be smelling a golden opportunity here. Landing that 4-1 win when they welcomed Espanyol to the Bernabeu on September 21st, Ancelotti will be calling on a repeat performance in Catalonia.
Real Madrid Team News
Both recovering from respective long-term knee injuries, Real Madrid will once again be without the defensive duo of Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao this weekend. Likewise, French star Eduardo Camavinga is not expected to with Ancelotti’s squad on Saturday night after suffering a muscle issue against Celta Vigo on January 16th.
Notching 15 goals in his first 19 La Liga appearances this season, Kylian Mbappe will spearhead Los Blacnos’ charge in Catalonia. Bagging a Champions League brace away at Brest in midweek and now registering 10 strikes in his previous 11 matchups across all competitions, Brazilian ace Rodrygo will keep his spot from the start.
Espanyol vs Real Madrid Key Factors to Consider
- When Espanyol and Real Madrid met for their reverse La Liga battles on September 21st, Los Blancos collected a 4-1 victory on home soil.
- In fact, Ancelotti’s side have won each of their last four meetings against Espanyol by an aggregate score of 14-2.
- The Parakeets have recorded just a single victory from any of their last eight appearances across all competitions.
- Los Blancos have won each of their previous five showdowns across all formats.
- Brazilian ace Rodrygo has recorded 10 goals in his previous 11 matchups across all competitions.
Conclusion
Storming their way to a 3-0 romp away at French outfit Brest in midweek, Real Madrid will be seeking a repeat performance here. Really bouncing back from their Super Cup heartbreak in the Middle East, Los Blancos will be relishing a trip to Catalonia on Saturday night. Claiming a 4-1 victory when they welcomed Espanyol to the Bernabeu on September 21st, Madrid do hold a dominant record against the Parakeets. Winning each of their previous four La Liga meetings by an aggregate score of 14-2, we are expecting an enjoyable away victory in Catalonia.
Verdict: Real Madrid win & Both teams to score
Best Odds: 2/1
Bookmaker: Luckster
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