RCD Espanyol vs Real Madrid Prediction, Betting Tips & Preview

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Joel Amorim Sep 11, 2015 @ 01:21 am

Next Saturday, 12th of September 2014, the all-powerful Real Madrid will travel to Catalunya to measure forces with Espanyol at Estadi Cornella-El Prat for Round 3 of the Spanish Liga BBVA.

After a less impressive performance at El Molinon in the opening day of La Liga, Real Madrid have managed to rally the troops and made a strong comeback against Real Betis two weeks ago. Los Blancos have controlled the entire match at Santiago Bernabéu and the early goal from Gareth Bale paved the way for a solid and quiet win over the league newcomers and Spanish historical side of Real Betis.

The Colombian maestro, James Rodríguez, put up a vintage performance during that match and contributed with two splendid goals for Real Madrid’s 5-0 win. James proved once again to be of pivotal importance in the team’s attacking movements and while Ronaldo’s goal drought still endures, the Colombian number 10 has definitely taken the reins of the team on his own.

Last season, Real Madrid have not experienced any major troubles when they visited Estadi Cornella-El Prat as they’ve easily won the match by 4-1 with an hat-trick from the usual suspect Cristiano Ronaldo and another goal from Marcelo.

James Rodriguez have suffered an injury while on international duty this week and will certainly miss next Saturday’s match due to that. The Brazilian right back Danilo, who arrived this summer from FC Porto, will also miss the travel to Catalunya after suffering a foot injury during his National Team match against the United States last week.

As for Espanyol, after a good La Liga start against Getafe three weeks ago, Los Periquitos were defeated in their travel to El Madrigal by 3-1 just before the international break.

Espanyol started strong against Villarreal and an early goal from Felipe Caicedo allowed them to go to the break winning by 1-0. Things have changed in the second-half, as the Yellow Submarine put up a very strong reaction and ended up by scoring three goals.

The last time Espanyol overcame Real Madrid at home was back in 2007 with a narrow 2-1 win. The second goal of that memorable clash was scored by Tamudo, who has decided to hang his boots this week at the age of 37.

Espanyol

Stats: W-2 L-2 D-1

Recent Form - LWLWD

Real Madrid

Stats: W-2 L-1 D-2

Recent Form - WDWDL

Possible Line-ups

Espanyol (4-4-2) - Pau - Arbilla - Gonzalez - Raillo - Duarte - Sanchez - Lopez - Montañés - Alvarez - Caicedo - Moreno

Real Madrid (4-3-3) – Navas - Carvajal - Pepe - Sergio Ramos - Marcelo - Kroos - Modric - Bale - Isco - Ronaldo - Benzema

Injury List / Suspended Players

Espanyol - None

Real Madrid - Danilo (inj) - James Rodriguez (in doubt)

Head-to-head matches:

League Positions