Our prediction for this Primera Division match:
Espanyol
Match Time & Date:
01/02/2025
21:00
Prediction: 1-3
Real Madrid
RCDE Stadium will host Saturday’s football game between Espanyol and Real Madrid, the two teams with entirely different ambitions for the remainder of the season. Espanyol are fighting tooth and nail to avoid relegation, while los Blancos are on a quest to defend their title. The Catalan outfit have a chance to escape the relegation zone, but they will have a mountain to climb against Carlo Ancelotti’s troops. Both Salvi Sanchez and Jose Gragera are sidelined with injuries, but there are no suspended players in the home team.
The league leaders, on the other hand, faced no difficulties in a 3-0 win over Real Valladolid. Real Madrid have been showing signs of improvement of late and given their four-game winning run in the Spanish top flight, away triumph should be considered. The good news for the away team is that Vinicius Junior is back from suspension.
Highlighted Player (Luka Modric):
Luka Modric is regarded as one of the best central midfielders in world football. The Croatian ace is a product of Dinamo Zagreb’s youth school and it has to be noted that he played 94 league games for the Modri between 2003 and 2008. In 2008 he signed a six-year deal with Tottenham Hotspur for a fee of £16.5 million.
Luka made his Tottenham debut on 16 August, 2008 in a 2-1 loss to Middlesbrough at Riverside Stadium. The Croatian star scored only 13 goals in 127 league appearances for the Spurs, but he is well known for his brilliant passing. In 2012 he signed for Real Madrid for a fee of £30 million and he made his debut against Barcelona in the 2012 Spanish Super Cup, return leg.
Modric quickly established himself as a first-team regular and, no doubt, he helped the capital club win two Champions League trophies (2013/2014, 2015/2016). You should bear in mind that he was named Croatian Footballer of the Year in 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2014.
Highlighted Team (Espanyol):
Espanyol are a Catalan club that plays in Spanish La Liga. Espanyol were founded in 1900 and their original name was Sociedad Espanola de Football. In 1901 the Catalan club changed its name to Club Espanol de Futbol. Los Periquitos used to play in bright yellow shirts in the past, but current colour of the team’s home kit is blue and white.
Espanyol’s fiercest rivals are Barcelona and the two teams face each other in the Catalan derby (Derbi barceloni). Espanyol have always been in Barca’s shadow, but it has to be noted that los Periquitos have won four Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup trophies).
The likes of Raul Tamudo, Jose Maria, Antonio Argiles and Mauricio Pochettino are players with most appearances for the Catalan outfit. Espanyol play their home games at Estadio Cornella-El Prat and the capacity of the stadium is 40,500. Los Periquitos have never participated in the Champions League.
Bournemouth
Liverpool
Wolves 
Aston Villa 
Barcelona
Alaves
Brentford
Tottenham
Manchester United 
Crystal Palace 
Arsenal 
Man City 
