Espanyol will host defending champions Real Madrid in the La Liga 2022-23 at the Cornella-El Prat on August 29. The match will start at 1:30 AM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Espanyol come into this game having lost 2-0 to Rayo Vallecano in their previous fixture. The White and Blues are currently 16th on the points table with just one point in two games. The hosts drew 2-2 against Celta Vigo in their season opener. Espanyol finished 14th in La Liga last season with 42 points in 38 games.
On the other hand, Real Madrid triumphed 4-1 over Celta Vigo in their previous game, with Karim Benzema, Luca Modric, Vinicius Junior, and Federica Valverde finding the net for Los Blancos.
Having beaten Almeria 2-1 in their first game, this was the second straight win for the visitors this season. Los Blancos are currently third on the points table this season with six points. Real Madrid also beat Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 in the recently concluded UEFA Super Cup Final.
Espanyol vs Real Madrid La Liga 2022-23 odds
Parimatch odds: Espanyol: 7.30, Real Madrid: 1.45, Draw: 4.80
Betwinner odds: Espanyol: 7.10, Real Madrid: 1.42, Draw: 4.80
Betway odds:Espanyol: 6.50, Real Madrid: 1.45, Draw: 4.75
10CRIC odds: Espanyol: 6.39, Real Madrid: 1.48, Draw: 4.83
Note: Odds are subject to change. Please visit betting sites to check and confirm the latest odds.
Espanyol vs Real Madrid head-to-head
Real Madrid have been the dominant side against Espanyol, having won 35 out of the 48 matches. The White and Blues have won seven while the remaining six games have been drawn.
Real Madrid beat Espanyol 4-0 in their previous encounter in La Liga last season. Rodrygo scored two goals for Los Blancos while Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio scored a goal each.
Espanyol vs Real Madrid squads La Liga 2022-23
Espanyol: Benjamin Lecomte (goalkeeper), Jan Garcia (goalkeeper), Brian Olivan, Leandro Cabrera, Sergi Gomez, Oscar Gil, Fernando Calero, Adria, Pedrosa, Aleix Vidal, Sergi Darder (captain), Vinicius Souza, Keidi Bare, Edu Exposito, Pol Lozano, Javi Puado, Nico Melamed, Martias Vargas, Adrian Embarba, Landry Dimata, Ruben Sanchez, Joselu.
Real Madrid: Thibaut Courtois (goalkeeper), Andriy Lunin (goalkeeper), Nacho Fernandez, Jesus Vallejo, Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, Luka Modric, Tony Kroos, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde, Eden Hazard, Rodrygo, Karim Benzema (captain), Vinicius Junior.
Espanyol vs Real Madrid probable starting lineups
Espanyol: Benjamin Lecomte (goalkeeper),Oscar Gil, Fernando Calero, Leandro Cabrera, Brian Olivan, Edu Exposito, Vinicius Souza, Sergi Darder (captain), Keidi Bare, Joselu, Nico Melamed.
Real Madrid: Thibaut Courtois (goalkeeper), Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, Luka Modric, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde, Karim Benzema (captain), Vinicius Junior
Espanyol vs Real Madrid combined fantasy XI
Benjamin Lecomte (goalkeeper), Oscar Gil, Edu Exposito, Dani Carvajal, Ferland Mendy, Sergi Darder, Luka Modric, Edu Exposito, Joselu, Federico Valverde, Karim Benzema (captain)
Espanyol top picks and players to watch vs Real Madrid La Liga 2022-23
Edu Exposito: The 26-year-old scored an important goal in his very first game for Espanyol in the season’s opener. Before joining Espanyol this season, Exposito scored seven goals for Eibar in the 2021-22 Segunda Division. The midfielder also scored four goals in La Liga for Eibar in the 2019-20 season.
Sergi Darder: The skipper has been an integral part of the team’s setup and will be the player to watch out for. The midfielder has scored three goals along with a total of nine assists for Espanyol in La Liga last season. Darder has made a contribution of 10 goals and 14 assists for the White and Blues across five seasons in the La Liga.
Real Madrid top picks and players to watch vs Espanyol La Liga 2022-23
Luka Modric: The 36-year-old contributed two goals and eight assists in La Liga last season. Modric was also on the scoresheet for Real Madrid in their last game and will be a key player in the upcoming encounter. The Croatian has scored 19 goals for Los Blancos across nine seasons in La Liga.
Karim Benzema: The French footballer won the Golden Boot last season with 27 goals, along with 12 assists. Benzema also scored 15 goals in 12 games in the UEFA Champions League last season. The 34-year-old centre-forward has netted 148 times for Real Madrid across nine seasons in La Liga.
Espanyol vs Real Madrid La Liga 2022-23 prediction
Real Madrid have a superior record against Espanyol and are clear favourites to win in the upcoming encounter. A talented front line can help the visitors score goals and pick up all three points.