If Real Madrid wants to retain their league title, their players need to set a record to close the gap of nine points behind the leader after 24 rounds of the current championship. “It’s not over yet,” coach Carlo Ancelotti said, while Dani Ceballos said: “As long as there are points on the line, Madrid will always fight.” We heard these statements right after a two-match losing streak in the league, which ended with a duel with Betis with a score of 0:0. History suggests the streak should end against Espanyol as Los Blancos have won their last nine home matches without even conceding any of their last seven. In addition, the last time when the creamy lost to the second team from Barcelona was in 1996. After 24 rounds the hosts have 16 wins and five peaceful outcomes, which corresponds to 53 points and the second position. Alaba, Lunin, Mendy and Benzema, who has an ankle injury, will not be able to help his team today.
Espanyol have been gaining momentum ahead of the upcoming international break, but their 2:1 loss to Valladolid on Sunday was a bitter blow as it put the team in danger of relegation. The density in the standings leaves no chance for any of the teams from the second ten, while the guests have a distance of only two points to the relegation zone. Before that last-round loss, the Parrots had only lost one in six league away games, proving they can be a force to be reckoned with. For 24 rounds the Catalans have six victories and nine peaceful outcomes, which corresponds to 27 points and 13th position in the standings. The attack line looks good, while the guests missed a lot. Olivan, Pedrosa, Gori, Gomez and Baer, ??who has an ankle injury, will not be able to enter the football field today.
