After back-to-back games without wins, Real Madrid are hoping to rediscover their best of forms when they play newly promoted Espanyol over the weekend.
Madrid has failed to record a win in two consecutive games for the first time this season following their 1-2 loss to Sheriff Tiraspol in the UEFA Champions League in midweek.
Prior to the European game, the Los Blancos were held to a goalless draw game at the Santiago Bernabeu by Villarreal in match day seven of the 2021/22 Spanish league season.
Espanyol has struggled to hit top gear since returning to the top-flight this campaign. Vicente Moreno’s men have won just one out of their seven games played in the league, losing three and drawing the other three.
They find themselves a whopping 11 points behind Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who are currently leading the league table after seven games played.
Madrid are yet to taste defeat in any league game this campaign but have had to share points with Levante and the Yellow Submarines respectively.
Espanyol has won just one out of their last 10 games against Madrid across all competitions, beating them in February 2018, with a 1-0 scoreline, courtesy a 93rd-minute winner from Gerard Moreno.
While playing away this season, Madrid has won four of their five games, scoring 11 goals during that time, conceding five in the process.
WHERE AND WHEN?
Venue: RCDE Stadium.
Date: Sunday, October 3.
Time: 14:15 GMT.
TEAM NEWS
Moreno will go into the fixture against Madrid with midfielder Javi Puado with right-back Miguelon also out with an injury. Fernando Calero, Yangel Herrera, and Oier Olazabal are also doubtful for the encounter.
Ancelotti continues to be without the services of Dani Carvajal, Marcelo, Ferland Mendy, Dani Ceballos and Gareth Bale while Toni Kroos returned to action in the defeat to Sheriff on Tuesday night.
EXPECTED LINEUPS
Espanyol: Diego Lopez; Gil, Cabrera, Gomez, Pedrosa; David Lopez, Darder, Morlanes; Vidal, De Tomas, Embarba.
Madrid: Courtois; Valverde, Militao, Alaba, Nacho; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius.
PREDICTION
Espanyol 0-3 Real Madrid
