/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.footballwhispers.com%2Fmain%2F2026%2F02%2FReal-Madrid-predictions-Zuma-Press-Wire.jpg)
Real Madrid will hope to keep their title hopes alive when they take on Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium on Sunday.
The visitors are 11 points behind arch-rivals Barcelona with only five matches left to play.
Espanyol, meanwhile, are still in the hunt for their first win of 2026.
Read our Espanyol vs Real Madrid prediction, preview and betting tips below. You can also check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Contents
Espanyol vs Real Madrid key stats
- Espanyol are currently on a 16-match winless streak.
- Real Madrid's last nine games produced goals at both ends.
- Three or more goals were scored in five of the last seven H2Hs.
Espanyol vs Real Madrid preview: Los Blancos to get back on course?
| Espanyol | vs | Real Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| 13th | Position | 2nd |
| 39 | Points | 74 |
| 37 | Goals For | 68 |
| 49 | Goals Against | 31 |
| 9 | Clean Sheets | 11 |
| 15th | Home Rank | 3rd |
| 8th | Away Rank | 2nd |
*These figures were accurate at the time of publishing.
Espanyol played out a goalless draw with Levante in their last La Liga outing, extending their winless streak to 16 games.
Manolo Gonzalez's men are now only five points above the relegation zone with only five games remaining. They were comfortably in fifth place at the beginning of the year but have dropped eight spots.
The hosts will remain without the services of long-term absentee forward Javi Puado, whose serious anterior cruciate ligament injury has kept him out of action since January.
Pol Lozano is suspended for this encounter, with the midfielder expelled late on for two bookable offences during the goalless draw with Levante.
On the other hand, Real Madrid were unable to claim all three points in their trip to Betis last weekend, as Hector Bellerin's stoppage-time equaliser was enough to secure a point for their opponents.
Los Blancos have now won only one of their last six matches across all competitions and are trailing leaders Barcelona by a whopping 11 points.
Interestingly, should Real Madrid fail to win this match, Barcelona will claim the La Liga title this weekend with a victory over Osasuna.
On the injury front, Kylian Mbappe has an overload in his hamstring and will not be available for this game. Other absentees include Thibaut Courtois (thigh), Eder Militao (thigh), Rodrygo Goes (ACL), Arda Guler (thigh), and Dani Carvajal (leg).
Espanyol vs Real Madrid form guide & betting tips
| Espanyol | vs | Real Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| L-D-L-L-D | Form | W-L-D-W-D |
| 2 | Points | 8 |
| 20th | Form Table | 7th |
| 2 | Goals For | 8 |
| 7 | Goals Against | 7 |
Whispers Predicts: Espanyol 1-3 Real Madrid
At 1.79, Real Madrid are considered favourites by the bookmakers, and despite their recent shortcomings, Espanyol have fared much worse.
This is a must-win for Los Blancos, and considering their nine wins in the last 11 H2Hs, we are confident that the visitors will return to winning ways this weekend.
Furthermore, both teams found the net in each of Real Madrid's last nine matches and in four of Espanyol's last five home games.
On that note, Real Madrid & BTTS - Yes can be backed at 3.10.
> BTTS - Yes at 1.59 | Likelihood: Probable
> Over 3.5 goals at 2.40 | Likelihood: Probable
> Match result - Real Madrid at 1.79| Likelihood: Probable
> Real Madrid & BTTS - Yes at 3.10 | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score: 1-3 at 12.50 | Likelihood: Outsider