Real Madrid vs Espanyol – La Liga – Preview

Posted on January 31, 2016 by Sreya

Real Madrid host Espanyol at Santiago Bernabeu on 31st January, Sunday with Zinedine Zidane still finding his feet as a La Liga boss. Real Madrid are on the third position with forty four points, seven points off Barcelona at the summit.

A draw against Real Betis further hurt the Los Blancos’ chances of challenging for the league title and they must win against Espanyol to close the gap on the second-placed Atletico Madrid who lost 2-1 at Barcelona on Saturday.

Espanyol are on the fourteenth place in league standings with only six wins and twenty two points and have not won any of their last five league fixtures, losing three and drawing two. The recent poor form has seen the Catalan club get embroiled in a possible relegation battle.

Team News

Gareth Bale is injured, which will make a place for James Rodriguez in the starting line-up. Pepe is carrying a knock and could be rested for Rafael Varane. Felipe Caicedo and Anaitz Arbilla are the only injury concerns for the visitors but they have a few other absentees as well.

Hernan Perez is back from a ban but Victor Alvarez and Gerard Moreno will serve out suspensions. Burgui and Marco Asensio, who are on loan from Real Madrid, will also be absent due to loan regulations.

Real Madrid Possible Starting Lineup: Keylor Navas, Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Rafael Varane, Marcelo, Isco, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, James Rodriguez, Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Espanyol Possible Starting Lineup: Pau, Javi Lopez, Enzo Roco, Alvaro Gonzalez, Ruben Duarte, Victor Sanchez, Pape Diop, Hernan Perez, Joan Jordan, Salma Sevilla, Mamadou Sylla.

Contributor’s Pick

According to Head-2-Head statistics, the last six meetings between these two sides have resulted in six wins for Real Madrid. In fact, Real Madrid have won thirteen of their last fifteen home matches against Espanyol in all competitions.

Not only are Real Madrid undefeated at home in twenty seven of their last twenty eight matches in all competitions, Espanyol have lost their last seven consecutive away matches in the La Liga.

Real Madrid have scored a minimum of two goals in fifteen of their last sixteen matches against Espanyol in all competitions. When combined with the fact that Espanyol have conceded at least two goals in their last three La Liga away fixtures, Real Madrid fans can expect their side to score a lot of goals, provided the finishing is clinical.

The home side are expected to win comfortably, with a 3-0 scoreline being the most probable.