La Liga: Only Wins Will Do for Real Madrid!

Real Madrid vs Espanyol

With two points from the last two games Real Madrid’s 2023 La Liga title challenge has fallen off the rails and Carlo Ancelotti has little time to change the course.

Draws with Atletico Madrid and Real Betis are not bad results, but neither are they good enough to win the league and Los Blancos have drifted nine points behind Barcelona at the top of the table. So when Espanyol rock up at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday for the lunchtime kickoff Madrid need to send them packing empty-handed.

Diego Martinez’ Espanyol come into the game on the back of a 2-1 reversal to Real Valladolid but they picked up six points from the previous two games to climb two points clear of the drop zone and they will be in no mood to roll over for the title chasers.

Talking Points

Modric returns for Madrid

Ancelotti will field his strongest available eleven against the Catalans and Luka Modric is available again after missing the Betis game through suspension, having picked up five yellow cards in the campaign. At 37 years of age Modric is still one of the most effective midfielders in the game and the Blancos boss has no hesitation in playing the Croat alongside the 33-year-old Toni Kroos: “I don’t think they slow down the game when they play together,” said Ancelotti. “I don’t perceive this as a problem. The speed of the game isn’t about running more, it’s about thinking first.”

Real Madrid were simply sensational as they dismantled Liverpool at Anfield with a 5-2 win in their Champions League clash, and Modric was influential as ever, teeing up the crucial third goal for Eder Militao to make it 3-2. And another of Los Blancos’ experienced stars bagged a brace as Karim Benzema scored the fourth and fifth. Benzema is at odds of 6.60 to win the Golden Boot again and with Robert Lewandowski currently sidelined, he has a chance to make his move.

Do the La Liga 2023 betting odds still think Los Blancos have a chance of lifting the title? Well, at SBOTOP odds of 8.00, they are not out of it; but if Espanyol can give their neighbors in Barcelona a favour on Saturday then it might well be the end of the road for Ancelotti’s men.

Not a ‘free hit’ for Espanyol

There is a tendency in football to class games as a free hit, or a shot to nothing. And with winnable matches at home to Celta Vigo and then away to Girona next on the cards, Espanyol fans could be forgiven for seeing this match as a lower priority.

But the manager and players won’t see it that way.

Espanyol are in a dogfight in the bottom half of the table which is very congested and, while they sit in 13^th the Catalans are still at odds of 4.00 to be relegated which is far too small a price for any comfort.

Centre-backs Sergi Gomez and Cesar Montes have the task of stopping Benzema and Vinicius Junior and they have the ability to make it difficult for their hosts. Gomez is an experienced La Liga defender, playing for Celta Vigo and Sevilla in a career spanning a decade while Montes is in his first full campaign in Spain. The tough-tackling Mexico international played in his homeland for Monterrey before signing for Espanyol last year on a five-year deal.

If Espanyol can subdue Los Blancos then ex-Newcastle United star Joselu, top scorer with 11 goals, will try to stretch the hosts’ defence, alongside former Barcelona striker Martin Braithwaite who scored his eighth goal of the campaign in the defeat to Valladolid.

Los Periquitos finished 14^th last season and they have the players to put a good enough run of La Liga 2023 results together to survive again, and a point at the Santiago Bernabeu would be a great start.

History

With 42 wins to nine, in all competitions since 1994, Los Blancos have bossed this fixture and they have not lost to Espanyol at the Santiago Bernabeu in 26 meetings.

With a home record of seven wins and four defeats Real Madrid have been impressive in front of their own fans, but Espanyol have not been too shoddy on the road, winning three, drawing five and losing four away from home.

And remember, Espanyol have won two of the last three while Los Blancos have failed to win any of their last three.

Betting Tip

At 1.23 to win Los Blancos should avoid any slip-ups against Espanyol, priced at 8.92 to win and 5.22 to draw. I believe Ancelotti’s men will eke out a victory…but it won’t be easy.

 

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.