The Los Blancos will host Espanyol at Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, knowing that a point would be enough to win the La Liga tile
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Real Madrid will host Espanyol at Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, knowing that a point would be enough to win the La Liga tile, with four more matches to spare. The Los Blancos are heading into the contest off the back of a 4-3 loss against Manchester City in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final fixture at Etihad stadium on Wednesday. But in the Spanish top-flight football, Real Madrid have been, by distance, the best team this season, winning 24, drawing six and losing just three. Meanwhile Espanyol, who are placed 13th in the standings with 39 points, suffered a 1-0 loss to Rayo Vallecano last week.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side needs just a draw on Saturday to secure their 35th La Liga title. But the Los Blancos have work to do in the Champions League after the 4-3 loss in the away leg. Man City went 2-0 ahead early on through goals from Kevin de Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus before star-striker Karim Benzema pulled one back for the hosts. After the break, Phil Foden netted Man City’s third goal of the night before Vinicius Junior reduced the deficit. Bernanrdo Silva restored Man City’s two goal cushion before Benzema’s second of the night, from the penalty spot, made the score 3-4. Ancelotti’s side head into the second leg at Bernabeu next week with a one goal deficit. The capital giants boast the best home record in the league this term, picking up 37 points from 16 games, and will be aiming to get the job done in front of their own supporters.
?️ #RealMadridEspanyol ?️ pic.twitter.com/3veBOEXMlK
— Real Madrid C.F. ???? (@realmadriden) April 29, 2022
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On the other hand, Espanyol will be hoping to spoil the party this weekend, but the Catalan outfit will enter the match off the back of a disappointing 1-0 home defeat to Rayo Vallecano on April 21. Sergio Navarro’s first half goal separated the two sides at Cornelly-El Prat. Vincente Moreno’s side are nine points above the drop zone, so they are likely to be a top-flight team again next season, unless something drastic happens in the final weeks of the campaign. The white and Blues have struggled away from home this season, picking up just eight points from 16 matches, which is the third-worst record in the division.
With the Champions League home leg coming up on Tuesday, Ancelotti is likely to rotate his squad. Nacho and Eder Militao are both suspended, so Jesus Vallejo could feature alongside Dani Carvajal in the middle of the defence. Eduardo Camavinga could also come into the starting eleven in place of Luka Modric.
As for Espanyol, the squad is pretty much fit, with Keidi Bare being the only player sidelined with a knee injury. Head coach Moreno is unlikely to make too many changes to the side that lost against Rayo Vallecano.
Real Madrid possible starting lineup: Courtois, Vazquez, Carvajal, Vallejo, Marcelo, Valverde, Camavinga, Kroos, Asensio, Rodrygo, Vinicius.
Espanyol possible starting lineup: D Lopez, Vidal, Calero, Cabrera, Pedrosa, Herrera, Morlanes, Darder, Puada, de Tomas, Vilhena.
The La Liga battle between Real Madrid and Espanyol will take place at Santiago Bernabeu and it will kick off at 7:45 pm IST on Saturday, April 30.
The match will be live streamed Voot Select and JioTV. Meanwhile, football fans in India can also enjoy the action on TV networks, as the competition is telecast live on MTV, the flagship channel of Viacom18.
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