Real Madrid lead La Liga after seven matchdays with 17 points from 21 possible. Los Blancos are one of four teams in La Liga to not suffer a defeat this season.
On Sunday, Real Madrid visit Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium, seeking to extend their lead at the top of the division. Espanyol are in their first season back in La Liga after achieving promotion at the end of 2021 from the Segunda.
🔙 to work!🔜 #EspanyolRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/W5cOLN4Lxh— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) October 1, 2021
🔙 to work!🔜 #EspanyolRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/W5cOLN4Lxh
Espanyol are 14th in the league after seven games. Just one of their seven fixtures has finished in a victory. The Barcelona-based team is coming off of a 2-0 loss to Sevilla away on matchday 7.
Real Madrid are coming off of a nil-nil La Liga draw with Villarreal. Carlo Ancelotti’s team are winless in back-to-back games after losing to Sheriff Tiraspol in midweek Champions League play 2-1. Los Blancos’ 2-1 loss to Sheriff Tiraspol could be labelled as the club's biggest shock loss of all-time.
The last four games between these teams finished in wins for Real Madrid. In 2019-20, Real Madrid claimed two wins to nil against Espanyol by a combined score of 3-0. Espanyol were relegated at the end of the 2019-20 season.
Ancelotti has four players on the injury list going into the game at home. Defender Dani Carvajal is ruled out of the game with a calf injury. He isn’t due back until the end of October. Defender Marcelo is a doubt following a lengthy leg injury.
Winger Gareth Bale is still on the injury list and unlikely to return to the team before the international break. Bale has a hamstring injury. Midfielder Dani Ceballos is ruled out until the end of the month with an ankle issue.
Vicente Moreno’s Espanyol could have four players missing with injuries. Defender Miguelon is nursing a knock and could miss out on the game. Defender Fernando Calero has a muscle strain and could also miss the fixture.
Forward Javi Puado could return to the team following a muscle injury. Yangel Herrera is nearing a return from a broken leg, but the game against Real Madrid could come too soon for the midfielder to play.
Real Madrid have La Liga’s best away record going into matchday 8. They have taken 10 points from 12 possible going into the weekend.
The last time Real Madrid played Espanyol, Los Blancos won to nil in both fixtures. Real Madrid should rebound from last weekend’s nil-nil draw with Villarreal by claiming a win to nil against Espanyol.