Espanyol vs Real Madrid predictions and match preview for Sunday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups as Los Blancos travel to the RCDE Stadium.
| Date | Sunday 28th August 2022 |
| Kick-Off | 22:00 (local time) |
| Stadium | RCDE Stadium |
| Competition | LaLiga |
Espanyol vs Real Madrid Preview
Real Madrid play their third away match in a row to kick off the 2022-23 LaLiga season as they travel to the city of Barcelona to take on Espanyol. The capital side will be looking to take nine points from nine whilst Espanyol will be aiming to please their home support with a strong performance after their poor start to the season.
Last time out, the Parakeets disappointed after a 2-0 loss at home to Rayo Vallecano. Isi Palazon finished off a smart set piece move for Rayo before half time after both teams went down to ten men early in the match. Pathe Ciss tapped in from close range fifteen minutes into the second half which was enough to gift Andoni Iraola’s side all three points.
This goal kickstarted Espanyol’s performance as they went on to hit the woodwork on three separate occasions, but it proved too little too late as they ended the game empty handed, to go with the single point they gained on Matchday 1.
It has been a strange summer for Espanyol, with several players who joined in recent years for notable fees leaving on free transfers whilst Raul De Thomas remains at the club despite months of rumours regarding his departure. However, the arrival of former Granada manager Diego Martinez and forward Joselu from relegated Alaves should give fans of the Parakeets hope that a promising season awaits them.
Real Madrid come into this match after a 4-1 win at Balaidos against Celta Vigo. Celta were the stronger team in the first half but against the run of play, Real ended the first 45 minutes 2-1 in front. In the second half, however, Carlo Ancelotti’s side turned it on and scored two brilliant goals on the counter to wrap up a 4-1 victory despite a missed penalty from Eden Hazard.
New boy Aurélien Tchouaméni impressed which served as good news for the capital club after the recent departure of Carlos Casemiro. Real Madrid’s objectives this season are pretty clear, and that is to win every trophy available. In order to retain their league title, they must remain consistent throughout and achieve victory in matches against mid-table clubs such as Celta and Espanyol, something they have struggled to do over the past decade or so but maybe to a lesser extent since the return of Zinedine Zidane in 2019.
Team News & Possible Lineups
Espanyol
| INJURED | Pedrosa |
| DOUBTFUL | Lozano, De Tomas |
| BANNED | Sergi Gomez |
Possible XI: Lecomte – Olivan, Cabrera, Calero, Gil – Exposito, Souza – Puado, Darder, Sanchez – Joselu (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Diego Martinez
Real Madrid
| INJURED | |
| DOUBTFUL | Vallejo, Nacho |
| BANNED |
Possible XI: Courtois – Mendy, Alaba, Militao, Carvajal – Kroos, Tchouameni, Modric – Vini, Benzema, Valverde (4-3-3)
Coach: Carlo Ancelotti
Score Prediction: Espanyol 1-3 Real Madrid
We expect Espanyol to put up more of a fight in this match than they did in their previous two fixtures and welcoming a team of Real Madrid’s stature to the RCDE Stadium should serve as plenty of motivation. However, Carlo Ancelotti’s side will be looking to build on an impressive win in Vigo and ultimately may prove too much for Espanyol to handle.
PLEASE NOTE – Our LaLiga predictions are not betting tips! No profits are guaranteed if you’re using them to bet on Spanish football. If you are gambling, do so responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose. BeGambleAware.
