Our prediction for this Primera Division match:
Real Madrid will look to melt Barcelona’s advantage in La Liga standings when they host Espanyol to their Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on Matchday 6. Los Blancos have been showing signs of improvement of late and seeing that big-money signing Kylian Mbappe has found his goal-scoring touch, home win should be considered. Rodrygo returns to the starting XI, whereas Brahim Diaz has joined the likes of David Alaba, Eduardo Camavinga, and Dani Ceballos in the recovery room.
Los Periquitos, on the other hand, aim to build on back-to-back wins over Rayo Vallecano and Deportivo Alaves, but given their difficulties on the road, home win should be considered this time out. You should bear in mind that Real Madrid have defeated Espanyol in each of the previous nine meetings between the two sides at “Bernabeu”. Both Fernando Calero and Eduardo Exposito are out of contention with injuries for the away team.
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.