On Saturday afternoon, reigning Spanish champions Real Madrid will look to record a potentially vital victory when Los Blancos host Espanyol at the Bernabeu Stadium.
Real Madrid form guideCarlo Ancelotti’s team has hit a dip in form at a bad time. A 0-0 draw at Real Betis last time out means that Los Blancos have failed to win in their previous three outings in all competitions.
The team from the Spanish capital is four games unbeaten in La Liga, although their last two league games have finished in draws. The consequence of their recent unconvincing form has been that the champions have fallen nine points behind arch-rivals and league leaders Barcelona at the top of the table.
One positive for Los Blancos is that they have remained hard to beat in La Liga on home soil, having gone 15 matches unbeaten at the Bernabeu.
Espanyol form guideWhile Real Madrid are battling for points to stay in the title race, Espanyol are hoping to secure points to aid their survival hopes in La Liga. Despite being in 13th place in the top-flight table, the visitors are just two points clear of the drop zone in what is turning out to be a close fight for survival.
Espanyol’s recent form has been mixed in La Liga. However, a 2-1 defeat at Real Valladolid last time out ended a promising two-game winning run in the Spanish top-flight.
Diego Martinez’s team has won just two of their last ten away games in La Liga, although both of those away wins have been their previous four league games on their travels.
Latest team newsReal Madrid’s only likely absentees through injury are defensive duo David Alaba and Ferland Mendy. Espanyol look set to be without the services of Keidi Bare and Adria Pedrosa through ankle and groin issues, respectively.
What am I backing?Real Madrid has not been in great form of late. However, Los Blancos tend to be strong on home soil, and I am backing Ancelotti’s team to win this clash.
