Espanyol Takes On Real Madrid: Key Matchup Breakdown, Bold Predictions, and Expected Lineups

Facing the prospect of a silverware-free campaign, Real Madrid head to Catalonia to take on Espanyol on Sunday evening, requiring all three points to keep their faint La Liga championship hopes flickering.

Los Blancos will be hoping May delivers better fortunes than April, a month in which they managed just one victory in six outings, crashing out of the Champions League and slipping 11 points behind Barcelona in La Liga. After a dramatic 1–1 stalemate at Real Betis in their last outing, Álvaro Arbeloa's squad must win all five remaining fixtures and pray for a significant Blaugrana collapse.

Espanyol are still battling for a European berth next season, giving them plenty of motivation as they host Los Blancos at RCDE Stadium. Los Periquitos have endured a miserable 2026, but a victory on Sunday would thrust them right back into the conversation.

Barcelona's triumph on Saturday over Osasuna has left Los Blancos with absolutely no room for error. Should they fail to beat Espanyol, Hansi Flick's side could arrive at next weekend's El Clásico as consecutive La Liga champions, potentially forcing Arbeloa's men to form a guard of honor for their fiercest rivals at Camp Nou.

Retaining the Spanish title would require nothing short of a miracle for Real Madrid, but Arbeloa's side must demonstrate some dignity and finish the season on a high. A victory on Sunday would turn El Clásico next weekend into an unmissable spectacle.

Espanyol vs. Real Madrid Score Prediction

Los Blancos Set Up El Clásico Title Showdown

Aesthetics won't matter much at this point — Los Blancos simply need to secure the win by any means necessary. Fortunately for Madrid, Espanyol's recent run of form suggests they are an ideal opponent for a much-needed confidence boost.

With Barcelona having claimed victory on Saturday, Real Madrid must respond in kind and down Espanyol on Sunday. The thought of the Blaugrana walking out at Camp Nou next week already crowned champions should provide more than enough fuel for Arbeloa's side to shake off their poor form and put in a commanding display.

Prediction: Espanyol 1–2 Real Madrid

Espanyol Predicted Lineup vs. Real Madrid

Gonzalez will need to manage without midfielder Pol Lozano, who earned a red card just three minutes into his substitute appearance against Levante and will sit out this clash. Javi Puado is the only other notable absentee.

Pere Milla and Tyrhys Dolan are expected to reprise their roles on the flanks. However, after experimenting with a 4-2-3-1 shape last time out, Gonzalez may revert to a 4-4-2, bringing Roberto Fernández back into the starting XI to partner Kiké García up front.

Espanyol's defensive unit remains intact, with Leandro Cabrera and Fernando Calero anchoring a backline that will need to be resolute if the hosts are to have any hope of taking points on Sunday.

Espanyol predicted lineup vs Real Madrid (4-4-2): Dmitrović; El Hilali, Calero, Cabrera, Romero; Dolan, González, Expósito, Milla; García, Fernández

Real Madrid Predicted Lineup vs. Espanyol

A mounting injury crisis has ravaged Los Blancos in recent weeks, with Arbeloa unable to call on Mbappé, Éder Militão, or Arda Güler — all of whom have picked up serious injuries over the past 10 days.

Brahim Díaz, Gonzalo García, and Dean Huijsen are all expected to start as injury cover, and with Aurélien Tchouaméni's availability also uncertain, Castilla product Thiago Pitarch could be handed a starting role as well.

However, there is a silver lining for Madrid. Star keeper Thibaut Courtois returned to training this week and may make his first appearance since mid-March, using this match to build match fitness ahead of El Clásico.

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs. Espanyol (4-4-2): Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Rüdiger, Huijsen, Mendy; Valverde, Pitarch, Bellingham, Díaz; García, Vinicius Jr.

What Time Does Espanyol vs. Real Madrid Kick Off?

How to Watch Espanyol vs. Real Madrid on TV, Live Stream