If manager Carlo Ancelotti is to become the first man to secure titles in each of Europe’s ‘Big Five’ leagues, he’ll demand a better defensive performance to avoid a repeat of their 2-1 defeat to Espanyol earlier this season.
Real Madrid
Knowing one point will secure the La Liga title, Real Madrid have every incentive to rebound strongly after losing Tuesday’s Champions League thriller against Manchester City 4-3. If manager Carlo Ancelotti is to become the first man to secure titles in each of Europe’s ‘Big Five’ leagues, he’ll demand a better defensive performance to avoid a repeat of their 2-1 defeat to Espanyol earlier this season. But as ‘Los Blancos’ haven’t lost a home H2H since April 1996, winning each of the last eight meetings they’ve hosted (seven of them ‘to nil’), a defeat at the Bernabeu would be one of the shocks of the season. While an early goal would settle any nerves, that would be unusual as Madrid haven’t netted before the 35th minute in any of their last eight La Liga home matches!
Espanyol
Although Espanyol have no interest in keeping city rivals Barcelona’s faint title hopes alive, they’ve their own stuttering quest for a top-half finish in mind after losing three of their last four league games. Like their hosts, an early goal would boost their chances, yet they’ve not netted a league goal before the 40th minute in six games! Without a league away win this calendar year, the omens aren’t good as they seek a first La Liga double over Madrid since 1995/96 and possess one of the worst La Liga away records this term, they’ll justifiably head into this clash as big outsiders.
Madrid’s Marco Asensio, once loaned to Espanyol, has scored seven of his nine La Liga goals this term at home while ex-Madrid man Raul de Tomas has scored 41 per cent of Espanyol’s league goals this season (15), including the match opener in October’s reverse fixture. There’s been exactly one goal scored between the 35th and 40th minute in each of Madrid’s last three home La Liga fixtures.