Spain - Primera Division
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Played
October 2, 2011 9:00 PM BST
Estadi Cornellà-El Prat — Cornellà de Llobregat
Referee:‬ Fernando Teixeira‎
Attendance:‬ 38000‎
 
 
Gonzalo Higuaín 17′
 
Gonzalo Higuaín 66′
 
Callejón 82′
 
Gonzalo Higuaín 89′

La Liga Preview: Espanyol v Real Madrid

Jose Mourinho's men will be looking for their first away win since the opening game of the season when they face Espanyol on Sunday, who have a 100 per cent home record

By Luke Matthews

More On :  Espanyol, Real Madrid CF, Espanyol vs Real Madrid CF

PROBABLE LINEUPS

ESPANYOL

Alvarez
Moreno, Forlin, Galan, Didac Vila
Javi Lopez, Romaric, Javi Marquez, Verdu
Rui Fonte, Sergio Garcia
REAL MADRID

Casillas
Ramos, Carvalho, Varane, Marcelo
Xabi Alonso, Khedira 
Ronaldo, Ozil, Kaka
Higuain

The home side will be without the suspended Jordi Amrat and Walter Pandiani, so Ernesto Galan and Javi Marquez are expected to be recalled to the starting line-up for Espanyol.

Jose Mourinho is still without the injured Pepe, Fabio Coentrao and Nuri Sahin, while Angel Di Maria is suspended for the visit to Estadi Cornella-El Prat. Kaka is expected to start after his impressive performance in the Champions League midweek.

The Madrid giants may also be without Karim Benzema who will face a late fitness test following a groin injury. Gonzalo Higuain will lead the line if the Frenchman is deemed unavailable.


 DID YOU KNOW?
  • Espanyol have come up against Real Madrid on 34 occasions, winning seven, drawing four and losing 23 of the games.
  • The Catalan club have a 100 per cent home record in La Liga this season, beating both Athletic Bilbao and Getafe.
  • In the 2006-07 season, Espanyol lost on penalties to Sevilla in the Uefa Cup final, becoming the only side in the competition's history to not pick up the trophy despite remaining unbeaten during 90 minutes.
  • Real Madrid have only won once on the road in La Liga this campaign, defeating Zaragoza 6-0 in the opening game of the season.
  • The last time these two teams met, Madrid ran out 1-0 winners in February of this year, courtesy of Marcelo's 24th-minute strike.
  • This season, the average time of Madrid's first goal in games has been 25 minutes.

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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • Espanyol 0-3 Real Madrid CF
    18.53 %
  • Espanyol 1-3 Real Madrid CF
    13.39 %
  • Espanyol 0-4 Real Madrid CF
    12.87 %
Head to Head
Spain - Primera Division ‎(LIGA)‎ May 11, 2013 Espanyol 1 - Real Madrid CF 1
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  • Match Report
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Spain - Primera Division ‎(LIGA)‎ Dec 16, 2012 Real Madrid CF 2 - Espanyol 2
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Spain - Primera Division ‎(LIGA)‎ Mar 4, 2012 Real Madrid CF 5 - Espanyol 0
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Spain - Primera Division ‎(LIGA)‎ Oct 2, 2011 Espanyol 0 - Real Madrid CF 4
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Spain - Primera Division ‎(LIGA)‎ Feb 13, 2011 Espanyol 0 - Real Madrid CF 1
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Last Five Matches
Espanyol
May 11, 2013Espanyol 1 - Real Madrid CF 1LIGA
May 5, 2013Sevilla 3 - Espanyol 0LIGA
Apr 28, 2013Espanyol 0 - Granada 1LIGA
Apr 21, 2013Getafe 0 - Espanyol 2LIGA
Apr 13, 2013Espanyol 3 - Valencia CF 3LIGA
Real Madrid CF
May 17, 2013Real Madrid CF 1 - Atletico Madrid 2ESPC
May 11, 2013Espanyol 1 - Real Madrid CF 1LIGA
May 8, 2013Real Madrid CF 6 - Malaga 2LIGA
May 4, 2013Real Madrid CF 4 - Valladolid 3LIGA
Apr 30, 2013Real Madrid CF 2 - Borussia Dortmund 0UCL
Odds
Returns: Espanyol £810.00 BetVictor Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET!
Returns: Draw £560.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Returns: Real Madrid £13.60 Bet365 Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Team News
Available Squads
25Cristian ALvarezGoalkeeper
35Dídac VilàDefender
15Héctor MorenoDefender
18Juan Daniel ForlínDefender
16Javier López RodríguezDefender
22RomaricMidfielder
11Javi MárquezMidfielder
10VerdúMidfielder
7Raúl BaenaMidfielder
37Thievy BifoumStriker
9Sergio GarcíaStriker
13Kiko CasillaGoalkeeper
3Raúl RodríguezDefender
-Ernesto GalánDefender
-Jesús DátoloMidfielder
17Vladimir WeissMidfielder
35RUI FonteStriker
41AlfonsoMidfielder
1Iker CasillasGoalkeeper
12MarceloDefender
18Raúl Albiol TortajadaDefender
4Sergio RamosDefender
17ArbeloaDefender
8KakáMidfielder
14Xabi AlonsoMidfielder
10Mesut ÖzilMidfielder
85Lassana DiarraMidfielder
7Cristiano RonaldoStriker
20Gonzalo HiguaínStriker
19Raphaël VaraneDefender
6Sami KhediraMidfielder
4Hamit AltintopMidfielder
21CallejónStriker
18JoseluStriker
14Esteban GraneroMidfielder
13AdánGoalkeeper
Players to Watch
Cristian ALvarez
Cristian ALvarez
Position: Goalkeeper
Squad Number: 25
Games Goals YC RC
16 0 6 0
The goalkeeper has been the side's No.1 this season, replacing the popular Carlos Kameni. Alvarez will need to be at his best if he is to keep Madrid at bay.
Kaká
Kaká
Position: Midfielder
Squad Number: 8
Games Goals YC RC
18 3 3 1
The Brazilian rolled back the years in the 3-0 win over Ajax in the Champions League midweek. The former Milan man will be looking to continue his form to win a regular starting berth.
Probable Lineups
Cristian ALvarez 25
Dídac Vilà 35
Héctor Moreno 15
Juan Daniel Forlín 18
Javier López Rodríguez 16
Romaric 22
Javi Márquez 11
Verdú 10
Raúl Baena 7
Thievy Bifoum 37
Sergio García 9
Iker Casillas 1
Marcelo 12
Raúl Albiol Tortajada 18
Sergio Ramos 4
Arbeloa 17
Kaká 8
Xabi Alonso 14
Mesut Özil 10
Lassana Diarra 85
Cristiano Ronaldo 7
Gonzalo Higuaín 20
Prediction
Jose Mourinho's men appear to have regained their confidence following wins over Rayo Vallecano and Ajax. Expect Madrid to have too much for Espanyol with the Catalan club's 100 per cent home record this season coming to an end.
Editor's Prediction
Espanyol 0
Real Madrid 2
Results
ALL MATCHES >>
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Lionel Messi Lionel Messi
Striker
Barcelona 		46 4
Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker
Real Madrid 		34 6
Radamel Falcao Radamel Falcao
Striker
Atl. Madrid 		28 8
Roberto Soldado Roberto Soldado
Striker
Valencia 		21 5
Negredo Negredo
Striker
Sevilla 		20 3