Last week, on Matchday 21 of the Spanish Primera Division, heavyweight Real Madrid faltered in the title race, drawing 1-1 away to Real Betis.
The tie, Los Blancos’ fifth this campaign so far, saw them fall further behind in the standings, as they now trail leaders Barcelona and city rivals Atletico Madrid by four points.
However, with first and second locking horns on Saturday in Los Rojiblancos’ trip to Camp Nou, Zinedine Zidane’s crew boast a golden opportunity to make up ground, should they beat Espanyol.
Will Les Merengues triumph over their Sunday opponent?
TEAM NEWS
Unfortunately for Zidane’s crew, they will have to enter the weekend clash without one of the league’s most influential players: Gareth Bale.
The Welshman is currently sidelined with a calf injury, and will thus miss Sunday’s game, alongside Portuguese center-back Pepe.
Real Madrid will be without their most influential midfielder for the Espanyol clash
Assists in 15/16
[10] Bale
[9] CR7
[7] Toni/Isco/JR
[4] Lucas
[3] Casemiro/Luka/Dani
[2] Danilo/Marcelo
[1] Jese/Denis/Ramos/Pepe/Kova/Benz
— Real Madrid Stats (@RMadrid_Stats) January 25, 2016
Les Merengues are expected to deploy James Rodriguez in Bale’s absence, whilst Cristiano Ronaldo and captain Sergio Ramos are both ready to feature, despite initial doubts over their fitness.
Constantin Galca’s boys have also been rocked by injuries and suspensions, as they’ll have to make due against the 10-time Champions League winners without the suspended Victor Alvarez and Gerard Moreno.
Top-scorer Felipe Caicedo (leg), Jose Canas (toe), and Anaitz Arbilla (Achilles) will all miss the Bernabeu trip due to injuries.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Real Madrid have won 13 of their last 15 home games against Espanyol in all competitions, thus putting Cristiano and Co. in pole position to grab all three points on Sunday.
Los Blancos are also undefeated in their last six games (home and away) and last 6 home meetings with Blanquiazules, winning their last encounter 6-0.
Although Bale is out, Espanyol will have to stop Benzema and Cristiano on Sunday
Which channel is broadcasting Real Madrid vs Espanyol on TV or Online?
Here are some selections for fans residing in the following countries:
In the USA at 14:30 EST on: fuboTV, beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A., beIN Sports en Español
In Spain at 20:30 CET on: Abono Futbol 1, Canal+ Partidazo, Movistar TV Fútbol
In the UK at 19:30 GMT on: Sky Go UK, Sky Sports 1/HD UK, SKY GO Extra, NOW TV UK
In Canada at 14:30 ET on: beIN Sports en Español, beIN SPORTS CONNECT Canada
Live elsewhere? Check out our special Real Madrid vs Espanyol broadcast page for viewing times and options for wherever you are currently based.
*Note: Live broadcast data is subject to change*
KEY STATS
- Espanyol have lost their last 7 away games in La Liga. They have not lost 8 in a row since 2002.
- Los Blancos have scored 18 goals against Blanquiazules in their last 6 games (both home and away), 17 at Santiago Bernabeu.
- Real Madrid last dropped points at home vs the Catalan side back in December 2012, drawing 2-2.
Check back one hour before kick-off for official team sheets info for Real Madrid vs Espanyol.
Official starting lineups:
Real Madrid: Keylor Navas, Varane, Sergio Ramos, Ronaldo, Kroos, Benzema, James, Marcelo, Carvajal, Modric, Isco
Espanyol: Arlauskis, Duarte, Roco, Alvaro, Lopez, Diop, Sanchez, Sevilla, Jordan, Mamadou, Perez
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
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