Date: Saturday, February 1, 2025
Time: 9:00 PM
Real Madrid is set to face Espanyol in a crucial La Liga match as they aim for their 16th victory of the season. Currently leading the league, Real Madrid are four points ahead of Atletico Madrid, while Espanyol is fighting to escape the relegation zone, sitting in 18th place, just one point behind Alaves.
Head-to-Head Record
The historical matchup between these two teams showcases Real Madrid’s dominance:
| Total Matches | Real Madrid Wins | Espanyol Wins | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|
| 198 | 117 | 45 | 36 |
In La Liga specifically, Real Madrid has won 108 out of 177 encounters against Espanyol.
Team News
Espanyol
- Injuries: Salvi Sanchez and Jose Gragera are unavailable due to injuries. Brian Olivan is doubtful after an early exit against Sevilla.
- Expected Lineup: Carlos Romero is likely to start at left-back, with new signing Roberto Fernandez joining Javi Puado in attack.
Real Madrid
- Injuries: Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal remain sidelined. Eduardo Camavinga may return from injury.
- Returnees: Vinicius Junior is back from suspension and expected to start on the left wing.
- Formation Adjustments: Raul Asencio could return to central defense, allowing Aurelien Tchouameni to move into midfield.
Recent Form
- Espanyol: The team has shown some resilience with only one loss in their last six league matches but has struggled overall this season with just five wins from 21 games.
- Real Madrid: Coming off a strong performance, they secured a 3-0 victory against Brest in the Champions League and another 3-0 win against Real Valladolid in La Liga. They are on a five-match winning streak, scoring a total of 20 goals during this period.
Key Match Insights
- Espanyol returned to La Liga last season and aims to secure survival above the relegation zone. Their last home match ended in a draw against Sevilla.
- Despite their recent struggles against Real Madrid, Espanyol’s home form has been commendable since October, making this matchup intriguing.
Predicted Starting XI
Espanyol’s Probable XI:
- Goalkeeper: Joan Garcia
- Defenders: El Hilali, Kumbulla, Cabrera, Romero
- Midfielders: Carreras, Kral, Lozano, Tejero
- Forwards: Puado, Fernandez
Real Madrid’s Probable XI:
- Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois
- Defenders: Vazquez, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy
- Midfielders: Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham
- Forwards: Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius
This match promises to be critical for both teams as they navigate their respective challenges in La Liga.
