/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.footballwhispers.com%2Fmain%2F2025%2F11%2FReal-Madrid-predictions-Alterphotos-scaled-e1763786364598.jpg)
All eyes will be on RCDE Stadium as Real Madrid finally kick off their La Liga campaign against Espanyol on Saturday.
Los Blancos are eyeing their first league title since the 2023/24 season after back-to-back second-place finishes.
Espanyol, meanwhile, will look to pull off a massive statement victory at home.
Read our Espanyol vs Real Madrid prediction, preview and betting tips below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Espanyol vs Real Madrid key stats
- Real Madrid have won three games in a row.
- Six of Espanyol's last seven matches went above the 2.5-goal threshold.
- Los Blancos have led at HT in eight consecutive fixtures across all competitions.
Espanyol vs Real Madrid preview: Business as usual for the visitors?
Espanyol vs Real Madrid — Tale of the Tape
| Espanyol | vs | Real Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Position | N/A |
| 3 | Points | N/A |
| 3 | Goals For | N/A |
| 0 | Goals Against | N/A |
| 1 | Clean Sheets | N/A |
| 1st | Home / Away Rank | N/A |
*These figures were accurate at the time of publishing.
Espanyol kicked off their league campaign in style, cruising to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Levante.
The Catalan side have been tough to beat in recent months, losing only once in their last 10 matches across all competitions.
However, Manolo Gonzalez's troops will have a tough task this weekend, as they face a Real Madrid side that have beaten them 10 times in their previous 12 clashes.
Interestingly, Espanyol won two of the last four H2Hs at this stadium, so they will fancy their chances of upsetting the Castilian giants.
No changes are expected from head coach Gonzalez to the team that defeated Levante in their La Liga opener. Roberto Fernandez, who scored a brace in that fixture, will lead the attack.
The Periquitos remain without long-term injury absentees Javier Puado, Kike Garcia, and Edu Exposito, while Leandro Cabrera serves the last of his two-match suspension.
On the other hand, Jose Mourinho returned for his second stint as Real Madrid head coach this summer after leading Benfica through an undefeated league season.
The Portuguese gaffer has spent over €200 million this transfer window, recruiting Yan Diomande, Marc Cucurella, Carlos Espi, and Denzel Dumfries.
Compared to their opponents, Los Blancos have a much longer absentee list, with Aurelien Tchouameni, Ferland Mendy, Rodrygo Goes, Eder Militao, Raul Asencio, and Thiago Pitarch all sidelined through injury.
Arda Guler, who was Real Madrid's top performer during pre-season, is expected to start in central attacking midfield. He will likely be anchored by Bernardo Silva and Fede Valverde in a midfield pivot, with Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappé, and Brahim Diaz forming the attacking trident.
Meanwhile, 19-year-old €125m signing Yan Diomande is tipped to make his debut from the bench.
Espanyol vs Real Madrid form guide & betting tips
| Espanyol | vs | Real Madrid |
|---|---|---|
W
|
La Liga Form | N/A |
| 3 | Points | N/A |
| 1st | Form Table | N/A |
| 3 | Goals For | N/A |
| 0 | Goals Against | N/A |
D
D
D
L
W
|
Form (All Comps) |
W
D
W
W
W
|
Whispers Predicts: Espanyol 1-3 Real Madrid
At 9/20 (1.45), Real Madrid are clearly favoured by the bookmakers ahead of this clash.
The visitors have won seven of their last eight matches across all competitions and should be able to claim all the spoils here, despite Espanyol's fine form.
Moreover, Madrid won four of the last six H2Hs by two-goal margins, and two of those victories ended 3-1, so we fancy this correct score at 11/1 (12.00).
Six of Espanyol's last seven matches and five of Real Madrid's last six outings produced at least three goals, and this can be backed at 3/4 (1.75).
> Over 2.5 total goals at 3/4 (1.75) | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS – Yes at 1/1 (2.00) | Likelihood: Probable
> HT result: Real Madrid at 9/10 (1.90) | Likelihood: Probable
> Real Madrid & BTTS – Yes at 21/10 (3.10) | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct Score: 1-3 at 11/1 (12.00) | Likelihood: Outsider