Real Madrid have faced some early-season scrutiny, but Carlo Ancelotti’s side is swiftly silencing critics. Despite a couple of away draws, Los Blancos remain unfazed. Although Kylian Mbappe needed a couple of matches in La Liga to adapt to Spanish football, he has already netted three times before the clash with Espanyol.
Ancelotti’s new strategy has paid off, with Fede Valverde playing a key role in midfield.
Valverde knows what is expected of him and delivers high-quality passes, maintaining the structure of the team. Even with Luka Modrić in the lineup, Valverde is seeing more of the ball and helping dictate the tempo of play.
With Jude Bellingham recovering from his injury, it will be much easier for the hosts to pressure the opponent’s defense and dominate the game.
Manolo González’s influence is already showing positive results at Espanyol. The Periquitos had not been able to score for three rounds, but now that they have broken their streak, the new tactical approach is beginning to pay off.
The style of Espanyol deserves praise. Marash Kumbulla and Leandro Cabera keep the center of defense under control. Alvaro Aguado advances the ball in midfield and Alex Kral has adapted quickly to the demands of La Liga.
In their recent match against Alavés, the opponents had 61% possession, but González’s men defended very effectively. Despite their aggressive pressing, Espanyol do not foul too frequently, an approach that will be crucial in their upcoming match against Real Madrid.
Bet hereAs evidenced by previous statistics and results, Real Madrid’s form has been steadily improving. Despite a busy schedule that includes mid-week Champions League action, fatigue is unlikely to hold Los Blancos back.
However, it is worth noting that Madrid are already trailing Barcelona by four points and have a poorer goal difference – making this a must-win game. If we look at the H2H stats, Real have won 18 of the past 20 meetings against Espanyol, while losing only 2.
We predict that Los Blancos will achieve a convincing victory in the upcoming clash. The hosts will not stop at a minimum advantage, so picking Real Madrid to win with a -1.5 handicap is our choice.
Espanyol really pleased us in the last two matches with their focus on the goal and convertation of dangerous moments. The visitors scored five goals in two matches and demonstrated the necessary confidence to face a top opponent like Real Madrid.
With Javi Puado in fine form, having scored a hat-trick in the last game, Espanyol will likely create chances, especially with Real Madrid’s occasional defensive lapses.
Of course, Real Madrid are the favourites, and they will net at least once. However, both teams are expected to score in this game.
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