Espanyol
Real Madrid
>Espanyol vs Real Madrid Predictions, Picks & Odds – 22/08/2026
La Liga · 2Espanyol vs Real Madrid – Best bets of the match
Espanyol vs Real Madrid Preview
Espanyol sit top of La Liga after a commanding 3-0 demolition of Levante on the opening weekend, Roberto Fernández's brace setting the tone for a confident start under Manolo González. That said, their pre-season form was patchy, with three defeats in the last five outings. Injuries to Javier Puado, Kike García, and Edu Expósito thin the squad considerably, while Leandro Cabrera serves a suspension. The RCDE Stadium faithful will demand another spirited display.
Real Madrid travel to Barcelona in underwhelming shape, having lost three of their last five matches across all competitions. José Mourinho's second stint in charge brings intrigue, with Kylian Mbappé and new arrivals Marc Cucurella and Ibrahima Konaté integrating into the squad. Injuries have bitten hard, though Aurélien Tchouaméni should be available. Mourinho himself cautioned that several late-arriving players lack full match sharpness, a factor that could influence his selection at the RCDE Stadium.
Real Madrid's record against Espanyol is staggering: 28 victories in the last 34 meetings, with 84 goals scored and a 65% clean sheet rate. Even accounting for Espanyol's bright opening day, that historical dominance is difficult to overlook. José Mourinho's side possess the quality to prevail here, and the away win at 1.44 represents the standout selection.
Mourinho is missing several key players through injury, yet the arrivals of Marc Cucurella and Ibrahima Konaté offer genuine depth. Espanyol, meanwhile, lack Javier Puado, Kike García, and Edu Expósito, while Leandro Cabrera serves a suspension. Those absences strip González's side of considerable attacking thrust and defensive leadership, tilting the balance further towards the visitors.
Given Real Madrid's firepower and Espanyol's depleted squad, over 2.5 goals at 1.70 merits consideration alongside the away win. Espanyol did claim a 1-0 home victory in February 2025, proving they can compete, but replicating that result without several first-choice players looks a tall order against a side integrating Kylian Mbappé into their attack.
Questo articolo è a scopo informativo e non costituisce una raccomandazione di gioco.
Trends to Know about Espanyol vs Real Madrid
- Real Madrid boast 28 wins in 34 meetings
- Espanyol missing three key players through injury
- Los Blancos scored 84 goals in 34 fixtures
Form & Statistics: Espanyol vs Real Madrid
Espanyol
Recent form
Season statistics (5)
Real Madrid
Recent form
Season statistics (5)
Lineups: Espanyol vs Real Madrid
Espanyol
Starters
- 1 Marko Dmitrovic
- 2 Ruben Sanchez
- 3 Unai Nunez
- 4 Riedel
- 5 Omar El Hilali
- 6 Urko Gonzalez
- 7 Pol Lozano
- 8 Ramon Terrats
- 9 Tyrhys Dolan
- 10 Roberto Fernandez
- 11 Jofre Carreras
Absent
- Pablo Ramón (injury)
- Simo Keddari (injury)
- José Gragera (injury)
- Javi Puado (injury)
- Kike García (injury)
- Javier Puado (Cruciate ligament injury, expected return late September 2026)
- Edu Exposito (Injury (details not specified in recent reports))
- Leandro Cabrera (Suspended for 3 matches (struck VAR screen last season))
Real Madrid
Starters
- 1 Dani Carvajal
- 2 Antonio Rudiger
- 3 Ibrahima Konate
- 4 Marc Cucurella
- 5 Federico Valverde
- 6 Aurelien Tchouameni
- 7 Jude Bellingham
- 8 Arda Guler
- 9 Kylian Mbappe
- 10 Vinicius Junior
Absent
- Thibaut Courtois (injury)
- Éder Militão (injury)
- Thiago Pitarch (injury)
- Rodrygo (injury)
- Ferland Mendy (injury)
- Raúl Asencio (injury)
- Endrick (Muscle injury/physical issues, undergoing rehabilitation)
Low confidence
Both sides line up in a 4-3-3 mirror, though neither XI is confirmed, and Espanyol's speculated selection carries notably less certainty than Real Madrid's, which draws on multiple credible sources. That asymmetry is worth bearing in mind before reading too much into the tactical picture.
For Espanyol, the shape suggests an organised defensive block with width from the flanks, while Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior give Real Madrid the creative and physical tools to unpick a compact home side. Carlo Ancelotti's visitors will fancy themselves to control the tempo from the off.
Espanyol vs Real Madrid: Head-to-Head
Average statistics (recent meetings)
How to Watch Espanyol vs Real Madrid Match?
What time is Espanyol vs Real Madrid?
Espanyol host Real Madrid at the RCDE Stadium on Saturday 22 August 2026, with kickoff at 20:30 BST.
Where is Espanyol vs Real Madrid being played?
This fixture takes place at the RCDE Stadium in Cornellà de Llobregat, Barcelona.
How Can I Watch Espanyol vs Real Madrid on TV and Live Stream?
Espanyol vs Real Madrid will be broadcast live on La Liga TV in the United Kingdom.