Real Madrid will aim to make three wins on the bounce in the new La Liga season when they travel to Espanyol on Sunday evening.
Los Blancos enjoyed a comprehensive 4-1 away win over Celta Vigo, following the opening weekend success against newly promoted Almeria. Two wins in as many games have left them in second position in the table behind Unai Emery’s Villarreal.
Despite Espanyol’s poor start to the campaign, Carlo Ancelotti is unlikely to take them lightly and go with a strong team in Catalonia.
Real Madrid have suffered an injury blow ahead of their trip to Espanyol, with Nacho Fernandes joining Jesus Vallejo and Alvaro Odriozola on the treatment table. However, there is a chance of Nacho making the bench.
Carlo Ancelotti will make a late call on Toni Kroos as the German midfielder is still struggling with flu, but Rodrygo Goes is expected to be back in the squad after recovering from muscle problems that kept him out of the first two games.
Goalkeeper
Thibaut Courtois is still searching for his first clean sheet of the season having conceded two goals in as many games. The Belgian shot-stopper will be determined to get one against Espanyol.
Defence
Carlo Ancelotti is likely to stick with the same back four that started in the win over Celta Vigo, which means Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba and Ferland Mendy will start as a shield ahead of Thibaut Courtois in the Real Madrid lineup.
Militao will line up alongside Alaba in central defence, with Carvajal and Mendy operating as full-backs in the Real Madrid lineup. The back four along with the goalkeeper could be in for a stiff challenge from Espanyol’s forwards. Summer signing Antonio Rudiger will have to accept a role on the bench once again.
Midfield
As for the midfield unit, Aurelien Tchouameni should sit at the base of the midfield and dictate the tempo of play for Real Madrid. If Toni Kroos is deemed fit enough to start, Eduardo Camavinga will make way for the former Germany international.
Luka Modric, who scored a screamer against Celta Vigo, is a certainty to start and should complete Real’s midfield trio.
Attack
Karim Benzema is an easy pick to spearhead the Real Madrid lineup against Espanyol. The Frenchman has been getting better with age and will want to get on the score sheet at the Cornella El-Prat.
Vinicius Jr. has nailed down his position on the left side of Los Blancos’ attack. Federico Valverde will be eager to create opportunities for Benzema in the box, as he continues to hold his place on the right-hand side of the Real Madrid lineup.
Ancelotti will be able to bring on the likes of Eden Hazard, Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez if required from the bench.
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