Real Madrid head to Espanyol on Sunday night in the headline match on matchday No. 3 of the La Liga season. Los Blancos have started with a perfect six points from six on offer this season.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side will expect three more points and could potentially go top of the table with a win and results going their way elsewhere.
📸😍 #EspanyolRealMadrid throwbacks! pic.twitter.com/p5rr5SgGqS— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) August 26, 2022
📸😍 #EspanyolRealMadrid throwbacks! pic.twitter.com/p5rr5SgGqS
Espanyol have not started the new campaign well. Just one point from six has been picked up by the Parakeets. An opening day 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo was followed by a 2-0 home loss to Rayo Vallecano.
Real Madrid are coming off of an impressive 4-1 win away to Celta Vigo. A 2-1 away win at Almeria preceded the victory against Celta Vigo.
Los Blancos will play their first home match of the season. Fans will be excited to see last season’s La Liga and European Cup winners for the first time. The energy should help Real Madrid get a win this weekend versus a poor Espanyol team.
Despite Espanyol’s head-to-head record against Real Madrid being poor in their last six meetings, the Parakeets got a shock home win versus Los Blancos last term.
Espanyol claimed a 2-1 win at home but that victory was an exception rather than the norm. Real Madrid have a record of 5W-0D-1L against Espanyol in the teams’ last six meetings. Los Blancos outscored Espanyol 13-4 in the teams’ last six matches.
One player that won’t be a part of this fixture is Casemiro. Real Madrid said ‘adios’ to the central midfielder in midweek as Man United paid £60 million to secure the 30-year-old's services.
Real Madrid continue to sell off or release long-serving players in an attempt to add fresh blood. Ancelotti has already replaced Casemiro with £72m summer signing Aurelien Tchouameni.
The former Monaco man played at the base of the midfield three against Celta Vigo for the full 90 minutes.
Espanyol coach Diego Martinez has two players suffering from injuries ahead of the game. Adria Pedrosa is ruled out with a hernia until October. Midfielder Pol Lozano is a doubt with a knock. Meanwhile, Sergi Gomez will miss the game due to a suspension.
Ancelotti will likely be without Toni Kross due to an illness. Eduardo Camavinga started for Real Madrid last time out. Meanwhile, defender Nacho Fernandez is suffering from physical discomfort which could sideline him.
Real Madrid have a strong record against Espanyol and have started the season well. Los Blancos should post a third straight La Liga win to start the season with a 3-0 victory.