Real Madrid — Espanyol : Match Preview and Prediction for September 20,2025

Real Madrid’s Recent Performance

Madrid had a successful week, albeit a challenging one leading up to the match against Espanyol, yet the team should be pleased with the outcomes of their recent fixtures.

Form and Key Incidents

In , Xabi Alonso’s men secured a 2-1 victory over Real Sociedad in San Sebastián, thanks to goals from Mbappé and Arda Güler. This triumph was notable as they played almost the entire match with ten men following Heijsen’s dismissal, which was later deemed unjust, but the one-match suspension for the Dutch-Spanish player was not overturned.

Champions League Challenge and Defensive Woes

Their Champions League campaign also began on a tough note. After squandering numerous chances against Marseille in the first half, ‘Los Blancos’ conceded first, though Mbappé managed to equalize from the spot before halftime. Post-interval, Carvajal received a rather soft red card, but even with a man down, Kylian Mbappé once again delivered a 2-1 victory from another penalty. With several key defensive players missing, the team’s backline appears vulnerable, a weakness opponents frequently exploit. Against the Catalan side, the hosts will be without Trent (injured early in the Marseille game), Heijsen due to a foolish suspension, Rüdiger sidelined with a thigh injury, and the long-term absentee Mendy. These are all defensive setbacks for the capital club.

Espanyol’s Impressive Start to the Season

Espanyol has been a delight to watch at the start of the season. The Barcelona-based team boasts three wins and a draw in their first four matches, with Milla and Jean Fernández leading a potent attack. ‘The Blue and Whites’ currently sit third in and approach the Bernabéu fixture in excellent spirits.

Espanyol’s Scoring Form and Character

The visitors have scored in every game, and in their last home match, they overcame Mallorca 3-2, eventually triumphing against their Balearic Islands opponents despite being a man down and scoring the winning penalty ten minutes from time. Manolo Jiménez’s side has had a full week to prepare for the clash in Madrid and can certainly capitalize on the hosts’ defensive absences.

Team Morale and Player Availability for Espanyol

The team demonstrates strong character and freshness ahead of the Madrid game, where the suspended Milla from the previous round will be missed, though this is the only absence for the visitors before the match.