Real Madrid kicked off their Champions League campaign with a 3-1 win over VfB Stuttgart and this weekend they are back in the La Liga where they take on Espanyol in matchweek six.
Madrid are currently third on the league table, tied on points with Atletico Madrid and because Barcelona are four points ahead of them, Carlo Ancelotti’s side cannot afford to drop points. Also, after the Espanyol game, Real Madrid will face Deportivo Alaves in midweek and then they play the Madrid derby. And before that crucial game, Los Blancos will have to pick up maximum momentum.
On paper, Madrid are the favourites to win at the weekend however, it will be easier said than done because Espanyol are undefeated in their previous three games and they have also held Atletico Madrid to a 0-0 draw this season.
Real Madrid’s team news and injuries:
Eduardo Camavinga will only be back in action next month but a big positive for the manager is that both Tchouameni and Jude Bellingham are back to full fitness.
These two started in midweek against Stuttgart and due to the lack of midfield options, the pair will hold onto their place on Saturday.
Lucas Vazquez played at right-back while Carvajal featured alongside Antonio Rudiger but on Saturday, Carvajal will move out to the right-hand side while Eder Militao comes into central defence.
Arda Guler and Luka Modric held the fort well in the previous few matches but now that Bellingham and Tchouameni are back, they will move back to the bench.
Endrick came off the bench and scored a stunner during their UCL win but the youngster will not be lucky enough to be named in the starting lineup.
Apart from Camavinga, Dani Ceballos and Brahim Diaz are also out with injuries and neither of them will be back any time soon. David Alaba’s recovery is taking longer than expected and his return date is still unknown.
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Espanyol:
Predicted Starting Lineup(4-3-3): Courtois; Mendy, Carvajal, Rudiger, Eder Militao; Bellingham, Tchouameni, Valverde; Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo.
