Espanyol vs Real Madrid Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview

The La Liga leaders are back in action this weekend and our expert Nathan Joyes has provided his Espanyol vs Real Madrid Best Bet, team news, lineups and fixtures preview.

Real Madrid comfortably beat Valladolid 3-0 landing our football expert another winner in Spain on Sunday evening, and Carlo Ancelotti’s side will want to extend their lead at the top of the table.

Espanyol have only lost one of their last five matches, but at the same time they’ve only won one of those – which came against bottom placed Valladolid. The reverse leg saw Real Madrid run out comfortable winners, and it looks likely that a similar result will be produced.

Espanyol vs Real Madrid Prediction: More magic from Mbappe and co

Spain, La Liga, Sunday, February 1st, 20:00 (UK)

After losing the Super Cup final, Real Madrid have been fired up to clinch the La Liga title. Carlo Ancelotti’s side returned from Saudi with a point to prove – and have comfortably won their two league games that followed. 

Both Las Palmas and Valladolid were the two teams on the end of big defeats, where Real Madrid scored seven goals and conceded just once. Los Blancos have found their rhythm, and they might just take some catching.

Kylian Mbappe was the star of the show last weekend, scoring a hattrick that took his total to 15 in just 19 league matches. He’s now just two behind Robert Lewandowski, and the Frenchman has more than settled into life in Spain. 

In fact, the 26-year-old has scored eight goals in his last five consecutive matches across three different competitions. With Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham alongside him, the French star is beginning to show his true form that we saw week in, week out at PSG.

Ancelotti’s side have the second best record on the road in La Liga, collecting 22 points from 11 matches. And having beaten Espanyol 4-1 at the Bernabeu earlier in the season, where Mbappe was once again on the scoresheet, the Frenchman is good value to add another to his tally this weekend.

Espanyol have conceded in nine of their last ten home matches across all competitions, including one penalty, and with Mbappe Madrid’s designated penalty taker, this adds another edge to my selection.

It’s also worth pointing out that Mbappe has scored first in four of his last five matches, and for those looking for a bigger selection, you can back that at 3.75.

• Espanyol vs Real Madrid Prediction: Kylian Mbappe to score anytime
• Best Odds: 1.83
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 5/10

Espanyol vs Real Madrid Prediction odds via bet365 as at 18:00, January 27th, 2025. Odds may now differ.

Espanyol vs Real Madrid Injuries, Team News and Possible Lineups

Espanyol are likely to head into this fixture unchanged from their 1-1 draw with Sevilla. For those who like to bet on cards, their 21-year-old right back Omar El Hilali could be an option, who has already picked up eight yellow cards in 20 La Liga matches, and has already served one suspension.

Looking to get at him will be Real Madrid’s second top goalscorer Vinicius Junior (8), who missed out on the trip to Valladolid after his red card against Valencia. The Brazilian will likely come in for Brahim Diaz to line up alongside Rodrygo and Mbappe.

Eduardo Camavinga remains on the sidelines with a muscle injury that has kept him out of their last three matches and his return is still a few weeks at the very least.

Espanyol possible starting lineup:
Garcia; Olivan, Cabrera, Kumbulla, El Hilali, Lozano, Puado, Kral, Tejero, Roca, Veliz

Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Garcia, Rudiger, Tchouameni, Asencio, Valverde, Ceballos, Rodrygo, Bellingham, Diaz, Mbappe

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