La Liga: Real Madrid Head to Barcelona for Redemption!

Espanyol vs Real Madrid

They are probably still laughing in the red and white half of Madrid, after Real suffered one of their most embarrassing moments in recent history, losing to Moldovan minnows Sheriff in the Champions League.

But the mood will be a little more serious in Barcelona when Los Blancos face Espanyol in a big Sunday La Liga clash. Real Madrid are top of the table going into this clash while Los Periquitos have made a decent start to their return to the Primera Division.

Well it isn’t exactly El Clasico, but Barcelona based Espanyol will give Los Blancos a hot reception in any case!

Talking Points

Espanyol must prepare for a furious backlash

Champions League humiliation for Real Madrid sent shockwaves throughout Spain and beyond as the Euro debutants Sheriff stunned Los Blancos at the Santiago Bernabeu. The La Liga giants dominated possession as expected, and had plenty of chances with ten shots on target but, after Sheriff took a first half lead, Real were lucky to be awarded a VAR penalty which Karim Benzema buried. The home fans expected the floodgates to open but they didn’t, and the Moldovans’ fairytale was complete when Sebastien Trill scored an 89^th minute winner. The young striker has admitted he’s watched his goal over 100 times and who can blame him?

It was one of the biggest shocks for Los Blancos’ fans and the SBOTOP football world for the year, maybe even the decade!

Carlo Ancelotti won’t have much work to do to get his players focussed for this clash in Catalonia and, despite this midweek setback, Los Blancos have had the look of champions in the start of their domestic campaign. They have become hot favourites to lift the title next May, at odds of 1.72, with champions Atletico Madrid at 4.25 and Barcelona out at 6.00. Sevilla at 11.00 must think they too are in with a chance, having stayed in the race throughout the 2020/21 season.

With Lionel Messi now in France, the red hot Benzema is odds on to win the Golden Boot at a price of 1.60, and with eight goals to his name already he’ll take some catching. Strike partner Vinicius Junior is in joint second place with five goals, alongside Real Sociedad forward Mikel Oyarzabal. Vinicius is joint second favourite for top scorer at odds of 13.00, alongside Atleti’s evergreen striker Luis Suarez.

Their league form has seen them rise to the top, but Los Blancos are actually without a win in two games, having played out a goalless draw with Villarreal last weekend.

Los Periquitos aim to fly clear of danger

After suffering relegation in 2020 RCD Espanyol wasted no time in returning to the top division, winning the Segunda Division in 2021. The hosts shouldn’t find themselves in a relegation scrap this time, but they need to be careful, at odds of 8.00, that they don’t get sucked into one. So far their La Liga 2021 results have been solid enough, losing just three of their opening seven fixtures, but Victor Moreno’s side has only picked up one win, in their last home game against struggling Alaves, and they currently sit in 14^th place.

Can Raul de Tomas score a goal against La Liga giants Real Madrid? — Espanyol striker Raul de Tomas celebrates scoring their first goal against Atletico Madrid

They come into this game on the back of a 2-0 defeat away to Sevilla, but they will be hopeful of picking something up on home soil, particularly if star striker Raul de Tomas finds some space. He scored 23 goals in 37 appearances last season and has already scored twice on his return to the Primera Division.

History

Real Madrid have totally dominated the meetings with Espanyol, winning 40 of the 54 games played since 1994, drawing six and losing just eight.

In fact Los Blancos have won the last four and they took three points in this fixture in the 2019/20 season. Real went top of the table thanks to Casemiro’s strike after a clever back heel from Benzema, while doomed Espanyol were rooted at the bottom of the table.

Real Madrid are unbeaten in five games on the road, and have won four of the last six, in all competitions, while Los Periquitos have won just the one game over that period.

Betting Tip

	Espanyol vs Real Madrid	Real Madrid Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 1.84
	October 3, 22:15 (GMT+8)

Real Madrid have had a long injury list this season but Ancelotti has a big squad, and the Espanyol vs Real Madrid betting odds are firmly in the visitors’ corner, with Los Blancos odds on at 1.61, with the draw at 3.78 and Espanyol at 4.84 to spring a major surprise.

Better quality, some fury and a healthy smattering of embarrassment will surely be enough to see Los Blancos home.