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Espanyol vs. Real Madrid: La Liga Match Preview, Odds & Prediction
As the 2024–25 La Liga season approaches, two clubs in dire need of a win—Real Madrid, the defending champions, and Espanyol, the club that has struggled mightily—will meet on Saturday night.
While Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are tied for first place in La Liga after 21 matches played, Real Madrid has a four-point lead. Espanyol sits in 18th place, one point below the safety of 17th place.
Previous Matches and Head-to-head
With 20 points after 21 league matches, Espanyol is in 18th position in the division, one point behind 17th-placed Alaves in the fight for division survival. Their record reads 5 wins, 5 draws, and 11 losses.
The Catalan club is currently embroiled in a relegation fight. However, any finish higher than 18th would be a victory, given that they qualified for La Liga again in the Segunda Division playoffs last season.
Although they have lost just once in their past six league matches, Periquitos have only won once, and it was a home victory against fellow strugglers Real Valladolid.
The team, managed by Manolo Gonzalez, is riding high after their 1-1 draw with Sevilla in their previous encounter. They have not lost a La Liga home game since the end of October, which should give them confidence going into this match.
Although Real Madrid have won their past four league meetings in a row against Espanyol (including a 4-1 score in the season-opening match), the Catalan club did manage a recent home win over Madrid (a 2-1 triumph in October 2021).
On Wednesday night, Real Madrid won their last Champions League league match 3-0 against Brest in France. They will now have to win a playoff to advance to the next round of the tournament.
Last weekend, Carlo Ancelotti's squad won La Liga by a score of 3-0 over Real Valladolid. With fifteen victories, four ties, and two losses, they have 49 points after 21 league matches this season.
At this point in the season, Los Blancos had a commanding lead in the division, with four points separating them from Atletico Madrid in second place and seven points separating them from Barcelona in third.
Real Madrid has a lot on their plate at this point in the season, having won their last five games and scored twenty goals. On February 5, they will face Leganes in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey.
The champions from the capital have the second-best away record in La Liga this season, with 22 points from 11 games and six victories. However, the reigning champions may have a tough time at their home stadium due to Espanyol's recent form.
Espanyol x Real Madrid Team News
Because of injuries, Salvi Sanchez and Jose Gragera will not be available to Espanyol again, while Brian Olivan is questionable after his early substitution in the last match against Sevilla.
As head coach, Gonzalez is likely to start much of the same lineup that faced Sevilla at the start of the match. However, with Olivan out with an injury, Carlos Romero will likely start at left-back.
A new player, Roberto Fernandez, has joined the club on loan from Braga for the remainder of the season. The Spaniard will likely play in the last third of the field again alongside Javi Puado.
Eduardo Camavinga may be able to overcome a muscle ailment and return to the team, while Real Madrid's Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal are both out for the foreseeable future with long-term injuries.
Aside from Rodrygo, who scored twice against Brest, Vinicius Junior is also available after serving another suspension; the Brazilian will likely start on the left side of the front three again.
Since David Alaba is still not starting after missing almost a year of activity owing to a severe knee injury, Aurelien Tchouameni might move into central midfield, and Raul Asencio could return to the center of defense.
Our predictions
Real Madrid to win & Both teams to score @ 2.70 on Sky247.ng
Real Madrid might have a tough time against Espanyol, but we still think the Catalan side will find the back of the net on Saturday. Still, Los Blancos should be able to get the three points they need, thanks to their talent.
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