Getty
| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
ESPANYOL  AlvarezMoreno, Forlin, Galan, Didac Vila Javi Lopez, Romaric, Javi Marquez, Verdu Rui Fonte, Sergio Garcia | REAL MADRID  Casillas Ramos, Carvalho, Varane, Marcelo Xabi Alonso, Khedira Ronaldo, Ozil, Kaka Higuain |
The home side will be without the suspended Jordi Amrat and Walter Pandiani, so Ernesto Galan and Javi Marquez are expected to be recalled to the starting line-up for Espanyol.
Jose Mourinho is still without the injured Pepe, Fabio Coentrao and Nuri Sahin, while Angel Di Maria is suspended for the visit to Estadi Cornella-El Prat. Kaka is expected to start after his impressive performance in the Champions League midweek.
The Madrid giants may also be without Karim Benzema who will face a late fitness test following a groin injury. Gonzalo Higuain will lead the line if the Frenchman is deemed unavailable.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
- Espanyol have come up against Real Madrid on 34 occasions, winning seven, drawing four and losing 23 of the games.
- The Catalan club have a 100 per cent home record in La Liga this season, beating both Athletic Bilbao and Getafe.
- In the 2006-07 season, Espanyol lost on penalties to Sevilla in the Uefa Cup final, becoming the only side in the competition's history to not pick up the trophy despite remaining unbeaten during 90 minutes.
- Real Madrid have only won once on the road in La Liga this campaign, defeating Zaragoza 6-0 in the opening game of the season.
- The last time these two teams met, Madrid ran out 1-0 winners in February of this year, courtesy of Marcelo's 24th-minute strike.
- This season, the average time of Madrid's first goal in games has been 25 minutes.
Jose Mourinho's men appear to have regained their confidence following wins over Rayo Vallecano and Ajax. Expect Madrid to have too much for Espanyol with the Catalan club's 100 per cent home record this season coming to an end.
Editor's Prediction
Espanyol 0-2 Real Madrid 
