Three talking points ahead of Espanyol vs Real Madrid | La Liga GW 22 | OneFootball

Real Madrid continued their positive run of form against Brest midweek, putting three goals past the French opposition and improving their position on the UEFA Champions League standings.

Los Blancos failed to make the Top 8, and earlier today found out that they will face Manchester City in the playoff stage despite finishing 11th on the standings.

They now return to action on Saturday night when they will take on Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium. Notably, Real Madrid have won three of their last five clashes at the venue.

The objective on Saturday will be to preserve the four-point lead over Atletico Madrid ahead of the Madrid derby scheduled for next weekend.

Madrid Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Espanyol vs Real Madrid.

An opposition in home territory

At first glance, Espanyol’s place on the La Liga standings may throw the impression that the Catalans are a relatively weak opposition in the league.

After all, the Catalans sit in the relegation zone with just 20 points after 21 games and thus average under a point in every game. They have lost 11 games and won and drawn five apiece so far.

What makes the clash tomorrow difficult, however, is Espanyol’s record at home where they have been a formidable team to beat.

The last time Espanyol lost a game at the RCDE Stadium this season was back towards the end of October when they were defeated by Sevilla by a two-goal margin.

All in all, they have only lost thrice at home in 2024/25 with the only other defeats coming to Real Sociedad and Villarreal in La Liga.

With tomorrow’s clash scheduled at the Catalans’ den, Real Madrid cannot take anything for granted. After all, Espanyol players have spoken at length about the extra energy they feel at their own ground and will come out all guns blazing.

The mainstay returns

Back. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Vinicius Jr.’s January has not been great by any measure, let alone by his astronomical standards. Sporting performance aside, the Brazilian has not featured half as much as he would have liked to for Real Madrid.

While indeed he scored a special brace against RB Salzburg and racked up one goal against Celta Vigo, the player was sent off in Los Blancos’ La Liga clash against Valencia earlier in the month and thus saw himself suspended for two matches.

The Brazilian thus sat out the team’s games against Las Palmas and Real Valladolid in the competition. He was not allowed to participate in the final matchday against Brest in the UEFA Champions League owing to a suspension in that tournament.

After erratic game time, the winger will return to the dynamics tomorrow and Carlo Ancelotti will be thrilled to have his star man back. With Vinicius, however, comes the inevitable selection dilemma.

Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo have feasted on the left wing in recent games and have looked in the best form they have been this season.

It thus remains to be seen how Vinicius’ return impacts the formation, but there is reason to be optimistic about seeing all three star forwards on song together tomorrow.

Never needed momentum more

Los Blancos are on a good run of form with 12 wins in their last 14 games and the only defeat coming to Barcelona in the final of the Spanish Super Cup.

February, however, threatens to be a gruelling month and Real Madrid need all the momentum they can get before it cracks on given the formidable opposition they are set to face.

Tomorrow’s game against Espanyol, in many ways, will set the tone for a series of challenges that lie ahead for the defending champions across competitions.

After all, they next head away to Leganes where they will play a knockout fixture in the Copa del Rey where the winner takes it all.

They then host Atletico Madrid at home in what will be a top-of-the-table La Liga clash and a hugely decisive one for the league standings.

Immediately after the derby, the gruelling schedule continues with two back-to-back games against Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League playoff only separated by a trip away to El Sadar.

Considering that Girona and Real Betis are Los Blancos’ next two oppositions after the aforementioned schedule, it is safe to say that the next month may well have massive implications for Real Madrid’s season.