Espanyol vs Real Madrid Preview: Team News & Prediction
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After an impressive start to the 2026-27 La Liga season last weekend, Espanyol are now the opponents for Real Madrid’s first game – and the return of Jose Mourinho.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / USA – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so any game may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Disney+ / USA – ESPN+
Espanyol preview: Impressive starters
Following the takeover of the club by Burnley owner Alan Pace, Espanyol were very impressive in the first half of last season as they looked set to challenge for UEFA Champions League qualification, let alone any other form of European football.
The Catalans collapsed in the second half of the campaign but have stuck by Manolo Gonzalez and they got off to an impressive start last week with a Roberto Fernandez brace inspiring them to a 3-0 hammering of Levante in Barcelona.
Real Madrid preview: Mourinho’s Madrid
Jose Mourinho is back at Real Madrid. He hasn’t been an impressive manager for over a decade now but the Portuguese has re-emerged at the Bernabeu to instil some much-needed discipline into a Madrid side that have underperformed in the last couple of years.
Los Blancos have managed to keep hold of Vinicius Junior over the summer while further transforming their squad with the arrivals of Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries, Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva, Yan Diomande and Carlos Espi.
Espanyol team news: Attacking absentees
The performance of Roberto Fernandez was welcomed by Espanyol boss Manolo Gonzalez last weekend as attacking duo Kike Garcia and Javi Puado remain sidelined for the hosts.
Predicted XI (4-4-1-1): Dmitrovic; El Hilali, Riede, Unai Nunez, Roger Hinojo; Alex Calatrava, Edu Exposito, Urko Gonzalez de Zarate, Dolan; Javi Hernandez; Roberto Fernandez
Unavailable: Kike (Injured), Javi Puado (Injured)
Questionable:
Real Madrid team news: A few injuries
Endrick has sustained an injury that is expected to keep him sidelined for a while, with Rodrygo not expected to be available until 2027. Aurelien Tchouameni is also a doubt for Madrid.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Dean Huijsen, Cucurella; Fede Valverde, Bernardo Silva; Diomande, Bellingham, Vinicius Junior; Mbappe
Unavailable: Raul Asencio (Injured), Eder Militao (Injured), Mendy (Injured), Thiago Pitarch (Injured), Rodrygo (Injured)
Questionable: Tchoauemni (Injured), Endrick (Injured)
Espanyol vs Real Madrid prediction
Espanyol were very impressive last weekend on the front foot and playing an attacking style of football. Manolo Gonzalez has shown good pragmatism as a coach, though, and so they will be expected to play a more defensive style this week. They come up against a Madrid side that have a squad seemingly well placed to dominate in attack but with a conservative manager. Madrid have to remain favourites but it may well be quite a frustrating watch for the neutral.
Espanyol vs Real Madrid tip: Real Madrid to win & under 3.5 goals
