Real Madrid vs Espanyol Preview: Team News & Prediction
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15-time European champions are now into the busiest part of their season as Real Madrid now welcome an improved and entertaining Espanyol side to the Bernabeu.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Real Madrid vs Espanyol may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – ESPN+
Real Madrid preview: Los Blancos’ congestion
In midweek, Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid managed to defeat Ligue 1 side Olympique de Marseille by two goals to one in a hard-fought contest at the Bernabeu in which France captain Kylian Mbappe notched a brace of penalties to win the game.
That victory to kick off their 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign came on the back of four successive victories at the start of their La Liga season, most recently defeating Real Sociedad by two goals to one in the Basque Country last weekend.
Espanyol preview: Catalan improvement
Over the summer, having narrowly avoided relegation on the final day of last season, Espanyol underwent a takeover with Alan Pace, the owner of Burnley, securing the club and seeking to improve them both on and off the pitch.
It has been a bright start to things on the pitch as they push towards the top end of the table. Having given up a two-goal lead against Real Mallorca last weekend, the Catalans then defeated the Balearic Islanders by three goals to two at the RCDE Stadium.
Real Madrid team news: Defensive issues
Dean Huijsen was sent off last weekend and so he is missing through suspension for the hosts, whilst Trent Alexander-Arnold went off in midweek against Marseille due to a hamstring injury.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Dani Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Carreras; Fede Valverde, Tchouameni; Brahim, Guler, Vinicius Junior; Mbappe
Unavailable: Dean Huijsen (Suspended), Rudiger (Injured), Alexander-Arnold (Injured), Mendy (Injured), Endrick (Injured)
Questionable:
Espanyol team news: Pere Milla suspended
Espanyol will head to the capital city without key man Pere Milla as he is missing through suspension as a result of being sent off against Mallorca in Barcelona last weekend.
Predicted XI (4-4-1-1): Dmitrovic; El Hilali, Fernando Calero, Leandro Cabrera, Carlos Romero; Dolan, Urko Gonzalez de Zarate, Pol Lozano, Javi Puado; Ramon Terrats; Roberto Fernandez
Unavailable: Javi Hernandez (Injured), Pere Milla (Suspended)
Questionable:
Real Madrid vs Espanyol prediction
Real Madrid have won all five of their games so far this season but they have only beaten newly-promoted Real Oviedo by a solitary goal, with performances not quite as fluent as they would want. They have also been susceptible at the back and Espanyol appear to be very impressive and slick on the counter-attack. Madrid, especially at the Bernabeu, should be favourites for this one, but Espanyol could well bloody their nose.
Real Madrid vs Espanyol tip: Real Madrid to win & both teams to score
