Real Madrid want to forget their horror week against Espanyol
Really, everything was going like clockwork for Real Madrid, but suddenly there were two unexpected slip-ups within a few days: While the 0-0 draw against Villarreal last matchday was still bearable, the embarrassing 1-2 loss in the Champions League against Sheriff Tiraspol hurt much more.
It was a real disaster in the Champions League, for which the proud Madrilenians now want to redeem themselves immediately. On matchday 8 of La Liga, Real play host to Espanyol Barcelona on Sunday, and a win is of course a must.
This is also the opinion of the bookmakers, who are putting the odds on Espanyol Barcelona vs. Real Madrid in favour of the favourites from the capital. And yet the offers on the Real victory are possibly a little higher than one or the other would have expected in advance. However, this is not only due to Real’s bad week, but also to the promoted team itself.
Because Espanyol are very difficult to crack. Even Atletico Madrid only managed to win in injury time at the RCDE Stadium – after going behind. Real Madrid should therefore be warned. Nonetheless, we think Espanyol Barcelona vs. Real Madrid is a good bet for the visitors from the capital – especially because they need to make amends.
Spain Espanyol Barcelona – Statistics & current form
Titling a team that sits in 14th place a surprise would perhaps seem strange at first glance. And yet, promoted Espanyol Barcelona have made a thoroughly surprisingly good start to the season. More games not lost (four) than lost (three), plus the amazingly strong defence: only six La Liga teams have a better defence than the Pericos, who have only conceded seven goals in eight games. In three of the seven games Espanyol remained without conceding a goal
That is quite a strong statistic for a league newcomer, especially because, for example, just Real Madrid currently have a worse defence with eight goals conceded.
Espanyol: Good defence, harmless attack
The dark side of the coin: Espanyol also have a hard time scoring goals of their own. Only four goals have been scored by the smaller team from Barcelona, and they have failed to score in four games. Only two teams – Getafe and Alaves, who are consequently in last and penultimate place – have an even weaker attack.
Predicted line-up of Espanyol Barcelona:
Lopez – Vidal, Gomez, Cabrera, Pedrosa – Bare, Embarba, Merida, Darder, Wu – de Tomas
Last matches played by Espanyol Barcelona:
Spain Real Madrid – Statistics & current form
Goals in games involving Espanyol have been a rarity so far. Will that change against Real Madrid? The signs are not bad: The Blancos have the best attack in La Liga (21 goals).
So if anyone knows how to break down Espanyol’s defence, it’s the Spanish record champions and their top scorer Karim Benzema. The Frenchman has already scored eight goals in seven games. If Benzema scores and Real win, one or the other bookmaker will offer a 2.30 or 2.40. In view of Benzema’s outstanding form, it seems obvious to us to consider this prediction before Espanyol Barcelona vs Real Madrid.
Real Madrid: Three games without a win should be avoided
Because even though Espanyol have a good defence – the pressure is on Real to put in a good performance and a good result. The Madrilenians are in the duty to say goodbye to the international break with a victory, otherwise the first crisis talk will also come up with the Blancos. If they fail to win in Barcelona, Real will have failed to win three games in a row.
After the 1:2 defeat in the Champions League at home against CL newcomer and underdog Sheriff Tiraspol, the mood is edgy anyway, and now the Blancos have to deliver.
For us, a win for the visitors is the obvious choice, as they have to make amends. In addition, the odds on a Real win are very attractive before Espanyol Barcelona vs. On average, the betting shops are offering 1.69 on the away win.
Predicted Real Madrid line-up:
Courtois – Fernandez, Militao, Alaba, Gutierrez – Casemiro, Kroos, Camavinga – Hazard, Benzema, Vinicius Jr.
Last matches played by Real Madrid:
Espanyol Barcelona – Real Madrid Direct Comparison / H2H Record
Espanyol Barcelona have been Real Madrid’s favourite opponents of late. Real last won four in a row, and in the season before Espanyol’s relegation the Blancos won both games to nil (2-0, 1-0). Real Madrid have won 15 of their last 16 matches, twelve of them by a clean sheet!
The historic overall record also speaks for itself: Real Madrid have won 109 of the 182 duels, with 39 wins for Espanyol and 34 draws!
Spain Espanyol – Real Madrid Spain Tip
0-0 against Villarreal, embarrassing 1-2 against Sheriff Tiraspol: It has been a surprisingly unsuccessful week for Real Madrid – they will now look to make amends and rehabilitate at the end of this lean week.
A game against a promoted team comes just at the right time – on paper, you would think. Historically, Espanyol are also one of the Blancos’ favourite opponents.
But the Pericos’ good defence has to be cracked first. Champions Atletico have already struggled and suffered at the RCDE stadium, and that should serve as a warning to Real.
Nevertheless, we believe that Real will make amends for the CL defeat. Since the odds are very lucrative, we give the Prediction on the handicap victory of the visitorsfor Espanyol vs. Real Madrid. Although there is of course a certain risk with this tip, we consider the odds of a good 2.80 to be good value. After all, a simple 2:0 win for Real is enough for our tip to come true
