Espanyol vs Real Madrid Prediction and Preview – 12/09/2015
Liga BBVA preview – Espanyol vs Real Madrid prediction
Both of Espanyol’s leading goal scorers from last season left the club this summer, so as a result it’s down to Caicedo and Gerard Moreno – who signed from Villareal, to score the goals this season. Two other fresh signings are currently injured: winger Hernan Pérez and defensive midfielder Papakouli Diop. They have also been robbed of a goalkeeper who started 37 league games last season in the form of Kiko Casilla who signed for their opponents on Saturday – Real Madrid.
Real Madrid have had a slight set back with the emergence of two new injuries. James Rodriguez and Danilo have both picked up knocks. Luckily Madrid have quality in depth therefore Isco and Carvajal can slot into the team in their places. These disturbances to the squad will mean that Mateo Kovacic may have to wait for his first start. Cristiano Ronaldo will be looking for his first league goal(s) of the season before any doubts over confidence set in.
Possible Line-ups
Espanyol: 4-2-3-1 formation: Pau; Duarte, Raillo, Gonzalez, Arbilla; Cañas, Sanchez; Álvarez, Sevilla, Montañés; Caicedo
Real Madrid: 4-2-3-1 formation: Navas; Marcelo, Ramos, Varane, Carvajal; Kroos, Modric; Ronaldo, Isco, Bale; Benzema
Statistics
- Espanyol have won 3, drawn 4 and lost 3 of their last 10 matches
- Real Madrid have won 5, drawn 4 and lost 1 of their last 10 matches
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Espanyol have scored an average of 1 goal and conceded an average of 1.2 goals per game
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Real Madrid have scored an average of 1.6 goals and conceded an average of 0.3 goals per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 4 of Espanyol’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 4 of Real Madrid’s previous 10 matches
- Real Madrid beat Espanyol 4-1 in the last outing late on in the league campaign. Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hattrick in that game
Prediction
After a win and a loss Espanyol are looking to be in decent shape at the start of this season. They finished tenth last season and will feel they can improve on that considering they are an established Liga BBVA side. The loss of their two prolific goal scorers is a slight worry however.
Real Madrid looked very assured during their 5-0 win the last time out, especially after a cagey 0-0 draw to begin the league season. They were left with egg on their faces after missing out on the signing of goalkeeper David De Gea on transfer deadline day, so they will look to avoid further embarrassment at the hands of a capable Espanyol team.
Espanyol would do well to get a result in this game against a Real side who are yet to concede a goal so far this season in the league.
We say: Real Madrid to win by 2 goals at 10/3 with Bet365
What are your predictions?