Verdict: Real Madrid win & Both teams to score
Best Odds: 13/8
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Turning their attention back to La Liga action on Saturday afternoon, Real Madrid will welcome Espanyol to the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid
Starting with the hosts, mounting yet another dramatic European comeback on Tuesday night as they opened their Champions League adventure with a 2-1 victory at home against French outfit Marseille, Real Madrid are certainly enjoying life under Xabi Alonso’s guidance. Marking their return from September’s international break with a 2-1 victory away at Real Sociedad, Los Blancos have come flying out of the traps since opening up the 2025/26 campaign. In fact, the 15-time European champions open this weekend’s fixtures as the only club among Spain’s elite who can boast a 100% start to proceedings. Desperate to recapture their La Liga crown this season, Alonso’s side will be looking to lay down another domestic marker at the Bernabeu. It should also be highlighted, Madrid have won all of their previous 11 straight showdowns against Espanyol in the Spanish capital.
Real Madrid Team News
Picking up a hamstring injury in the opening three minutes against Marseille on Tuesday night and cutting a frustrated figure as he limped off, England international Trent Alexander-Arnold will miss out here. Both settling for a spot on the bench in midweek, the duo of Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham could be handed respective full recalls.
Opening his Champions League account with a brace in midweek and now finding the net in all of his previous four consecutive appearances for club and country, French superstar Kylian Mbappe will lead the line. Although Dani Carvajal might have been shown a European red card in midweek, the veteran defender is free to feature here.
Espanyol
As for the visitors, while Espanyol might have spent the whole of last season in a battle to keep hold of their La Liga status, Manolo Gonzalez’s men have come roaring back in a sensational fashion. Last seen marking their return from September’s international break with an action-packed 3-2 victory at home against Mallorca, the Parakeets find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Rightfully receiving a string of plaudits from across Spain’s elite since opening up the 2025/26 campaign, Saturday’s guests should be relishing a trip to the capital this weekend. Getting proceedings underway with a famous 2-1 victory against Atletico Madrid, the Catalonia-based outfit have remarkably mustered 10 points from their first four La Liga appearances and they open this weekend’s fixtures sat in bronze medal position.
Espanyol Team News
Picking up a first-half red card after bagging a third La Liga strike of the season against Mallorca last week, leading marksman Pere Milla will miss out through suspension here. Yet to make a single appearance so far this season, academy graduate Javier Hernandez remains on the sidelines with a long-term foot issue.
Cementing his spot as Gonzalez’s number one choice after completing a free switch from Leganes over the summer, Serbian shot-stopper Marko Dmitrovic will start between the sticks. Fellow new recruit and one-time Real Madrid youngster Leandro Cabrera will start at the back.
Real Madrid vs Espanyol Key Factors to Consider
- When Real Madrid and Espanyol last met back on February 1st, the Parakeets claimed a famous 1-0 victory in Catalonia.
- However, Los Blancos have won all of their previous 11 consecutive showdowns against Espanyol in the Spanish capital.
- Including a Champions League brace in midweek, French skipper Kylian Mbappe has found the net in all of his last four consecutive appearances for club and country.
- Espanyol have registered 10 points from their first four La Liga appearances.
- The last three showdowns between Real Madrid and Espanyol have produced 13 goals at both ends of the pitch.
Conclusion
Mounting another dramatic Champions League comeback on Tuesday as they eventually dragged themselves past Marseille, Real Madrid have come flying out of the traps. Enjoying what has been a major flurry since opening up the new campaign, Alonso’s men are the only side among Spain’s elite who can boast a 100% start to proceedings. While Espanyol might travel to the Spanish capital pencilled in as a landslide underdog, the Parakeets are in the midst of a record-breaking start to proceedings. Landing an iconic 1-0 victory when they welcomed Los Blancos to Catalonia back in February, Saturday’s guests could be confident of asking some questions.
Verdict: Real Madrid win & Both teams to score
Best Odds: 13/8
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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