Actual Madrid continued their optimistic run of kind towards Brest midweek, placing three objectives previous the French opposition and bettering their place on the UEFA Champions League standings.
Los Blancos did not make the Prime 8, and earlier right this moment discovered that regardless of ending eleventh on the standings.
They now return to motion on Saturday evening when they may tackle Espanyol on the RCDE Stadium. Notably, Actual Madrid have gained three of their final 5 clashes on the venue.
The target on Saturday shall be to protect the four-point lead over Atletico Madrid forward of the Madrid derby scheduled for subsequent weekend.
Madrid Common brings you three speaking factors forward of Espanyol vs Actual Madrid.
An opposition in residence territory
At first look, Espanyol’s place on the La Liga standings could throw the impression that the Catalans are a comparatively weak opposition within the league.
In any case, the Catalans sit within the relegation zone with simply 20 factors after 21 video games and thus common below some extent in each recreation. They’ve misplaced 11 video games and gained and drawn 5 apiece to this point.
What makes the conflict tomorrow troublesome, nonetheless, is Espanyol’s document at residence the place they’ve been a formidable workforce to beat.
The final time Espanyol misplaced a recreation on the RCDE Stadium this season was again in the direction of the top of October after they had been defeated by Sevilla by a two-goal margin.
All in all, they’ve solely misplaced thrice at residence in 2024/25 with the one different defeats coming to Actual Sociedad and Villarreal in La Liga.
With tomorrow’s conflict scheduled on the Catalans’ den, Actual Madrid can not take something as a right. In any case, Espanyol gamers have spoken at size concerning the further power and can come out all weapons blazing.
The mainstay returns
Vinicius Jr.’s January has not been nice by any measure, not to mention by his astronomical requirements. Sporting efficiency apart, the Brazilian has not featured half as a lot as he would have favored to for Actual Madrid.
Whereas certainly he scored a particular brace towards RB Salzburg and racked up one objective towards Celta Vigo, the participant was despatched off in Los Blancos’ La Liga conflict towards Valencia earlier within the month and thus noticed himself suspended for 2 matches.
The Brazilian thus sat out the workforce’s video games towards Las Palmas and Actual Valladolid within the competitors. He was not allowed to take part within the ultimate matchday towards Brest within the UEFA Champions League owing to a suspension in that match.
After erratic recreation time, the winger will return to the dynamics tomorrow and shall be thrilled to have his star man again. With Vinicius, nonetheless, comes the inevitable choice dilemma.
Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo have feasted on the left wing in current video games and have regarded in the most effective kind they’ve been this season.
It thus stays to be seen how Vinicius’ return impacts the formation, however there’s purpose to be optimistic about seeing all three star forwards on track collectively tomorrow.
By no means wanted momentum extra
Los Blancos are on a great run of kind with 12 wins of their final 14 video games and the one defeat coming to Barcelona within the ultimate of the Spanish Tremendous Cup.
February, nonetheless, threatens to be a gruelling month and Actual Madrid want all of the momentum they will get earlier than it cracks on given the formidable opposition they’re set to face.
Tomorrow’s recreation towards Espanyol, in some ways, will set the tone for a collection of challenges that lie forward for the defending champions throughout competitions.
In any case, they subsequent head away to Leganes the place they may play a knockout fixture within the Copa del Rey the place the winner takes all of it.
They then host Atletico Madrid at residence in what shall be a top-of-the-table La Liga conflict and a vastly decisive one for the league standings.
Instantly after the derby, the gruelling schedule continues with two back-to-back video games towards Manchester Metropolis within the UEFA Champions League playoff solely separated by a visit away to El Sadar.
Contemplating that Girona and Actual Betis are Los Blancos’ subsequent two oppositions after the aforementioned schedule, it’s secure to say that the subsequent month could properly have large implications for Actual Madrid’s season.