RCD Espanyol vs Real Madrid: Match preview | OneFootball

Real Madrid prepare for yet another away fixture as Los Blancos begin the month of February with a trip to Cornella to take on Espanyol in match day 22 of La Liga.

Vinícius Júnior finally returns to league action for the first time since the game against Valencia. Carlo Ancelotti also seems to be looking forward to watch the Brazilian in action tomorrow.

According to reports, David Alaba is set to start tomorrow either alongside Raul Asencio or Antonio Rüdiger – a choice Ancelotti is yet to finalise.

The Italian manager will have a selection dilemma before the start of tomorrow’s match, with Aurelien Tchouaméni looking in good touch in his natural position and Dani Ceballos with a string of brilliant performances.

Fede Valverde looked a bit worn out towards the end of the last match and it will not be a surprise if he is starts this match from the bench.

Arda Güler last started a match for the Merengues against Deportivo Minera in the Copa Del Rey and since then has been impressive while coming off the bench.

The Turk has been knocking the door for a start and can be a surprise inclusion in the starting lineup tonight.

Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham returned to goalscoring ways and with the form he is in, Ancelotti will be inclined to start the Englishman for yet another game.

The attack will further be boosted with the return of Vinicius Junior as Rodrygo and Kylian Mbappe have been in sublime touch recently. The trio is hitting its peak at the right time and it would be fitting that they continue doing so tonight.

On the other hand, Espanyol have been lingering in the relegation zone on the 18th position, with just 5 wins and 11 losses in 21 matches in La Liga.

These two sides met earlier this season in September at the Bernabeu, where Real Madrid won 4-1, with goals from the attacking trio up front and Dani Carvajal.

Since then a lot has happened – Carvajal was ruled out for the rest of the season, Los Blancos had a turbulent run in the league but now sit at the top of the table while Espanyol are 1 point below the relegation zone.

The Catalonian side’s best player has been midfielder Javi Puado with 7 goals and an assist in 19 league fixtures. They have been quite poor to the extent that the club’s second highest goal scorer has 2 goals.

Defensively, they have been leaking goals – 33 to be precise – and will have an uphill task to stop the forward line of Madrid, who have been in red form since January.

The Vikings have a golden opportunity to further solidify their lead at the top of the table and leave Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona behind in the title race.