Real Madrid welcome Espanyol to the Santiago Bernabeu for a Spanish La Liga clash. Both teams are looking to maintain solid starts to the season, with Los Blancos aiming to extend their solid record in this fixture.
It has been a perfect start to the season for Real Madrid, who have won all four of their La Liga matches so far. They claimed a 2-1 victory at Real Sociedad in their previous fixture, with Kylian Mbappe getting one of the goals.
Mbappe also netted a brace as Real Madrid claimed a 2-1 home victory over Marseille in the UEFA Champions League. That result is part of a solid home record for Xabi Alonso’s men, who have won their last seven matches across all competitions at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Espanyol have been one of the surprise teams of the season so far, as they are unbeaten after four La Liga matches. Manolo Gonzalez's team have won three of their four league matches and claimed a 3-2 victory over Mallorca last time out.
While Espanyol are enjoying a solid start to the season, they appear to have carried on a poor away record from last term. They are winless in their last five La Liga matches on the road, suffering three defeats in this run.
How the bookies view it: Real Madrid huge favourites
Real Madrid have been installed as overwhelming favourites among the bookies and are priced 2/11 by BoyleSports to claim the win. A victory for Espanyol is valued at 10/1, while a draw is set at odds of 11/2.
Head to head: Dominant Madrid
Real Madrid have a 33-6 advantage with three draws in the last 42 matches against Espanyol. Last season’s meeting at the Santiago Bernabeu ended in a 4-1 victory for Los Blancos.
Players to watch: Mbappe to continue firing
Kylian Mbappe has made a bright start to the season, with six goals in five matches in all competitions. The striker scored in the win over Espanyol last season and will be keen to maintain his scoring run (Kylian Mbappe anytime goalscorer – available at 4/9 with BoyleSports).
With Pere Milla suspended, Roberto Fernandez will be the one to watch for Espanyol. The forward was on target in the win over Mallorca and will be keen to go on a scoring run (Roberto Fernandez anytime goalscorer – valued at odds of 7/2).
Probable line-ups:
Real Madrid are without Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger, Endrick and Ferland Mendy, who are all sidelined with injuries. Dean Huijsen is suspended, but Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga have returned from injury and could be involved on Saturday.
Espanyol will be without Milla through suspension and midfielder Javi Hernandez due to injury. However, the duo of Fernando Calero and Leandro Cabrera are set to line up in defence, with Fernandez and veteran striker Kike Garcia are expected to feature in attack.
Real Madrid: Courtois, Carvajal, Militao, Asencio, Carreras, Valverde, Tchouameni, Mastantuono, Guler, Vinicius, Mbappe
Espanyol: Dmitrovic, El Hilali, Calero, Carbrera, Romero, Lozano, Exposito, Dolan, Puado, Fernandez, Kike
Anything else catch the eye?
Four of the last five matches between Real Madrid and Espanyol have produced over 3.5 goals (Over 3.5 goals – priced at 20/21 with BoyleSports). Los Blancos have also scored in both halves in three of the last five meetings (Real Madrid to score in both halves – set at odds of 4/6).
Real Madrid have won with both teams scoring in three of the last four meetings (Real Madrid win & BTTS YES – offered at 8/5).
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