Madrid Don't Take the Foot Off the Accelerator: Real Madrid vs Espanyol Preview – LaLiga Matchday 5.

 Madrid Don't Take the Foot Off the Accelerator: Real Madrid vs Espanyol Preview – LaLiga Matchday 5.

As LaLiga EA Sports nears Matchday 5, Real Madrid host in-form Espanyol to the Santiago Bernabéu in what promises to be a high-stakes clash. Both teams enter the game well placed, but just Madrid can remain unbeaten if they win. Here is your full preview, storylines, line-ups, and what to watch out for.

Match Details

Date & Time: Saturday, 20 September 2025, at 16:15 CEST (Spain)

Venue: Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid

Where to Watch / Streaming Details: Movistar Plus+ (LaLiga TV channels), and further international broadcast / streaming.

Context & Stakes

Real Madrid have made the perfect beginning in LaLiga: 4 wins from 4, top of the league with 12 points. To this add a perfect beginning in the Champions League.

Espanyol are no longer underdogs—neither are they unbeaten and, of course, atop the table in third place with 10 points. Their season has caught everyone by surprise.

For Madrid, however, it is about domination: to keep the momentum going, stay at the top of the table, and respond after some difficult recent away matches.

Espanyol will try to take advantage of any Eibar weaknesses, press tightly and look to capitalize on counter-attacks. They know a win here would enhance their credentials.

Team News & Lineups

Red card for Real Madrid's Dean Huijsen sees him suspended.

Injuries / rotation problems could also lead Alonso to make some adjustments.

Expected Madrid XI includes: Courtois; Carvajal, Militão, Á. Carreras; Valverde, Tchouaméni; Mastantuono; Vini Jr., Mbappé, Gonzalo.

Espanyol possibly without Pere Milla due to suspension, Javi Hernández due to injury; but Edu Expósito may be available.

Main Players to Watch

Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid): Goal scoring performance is superb; Madrid will rely on him to lead the front line.

Vinícius Jr.: Has had patchy recent form; will be eager to prove a point by making a telling impact, especially at home.

Roberto Fernández (Espanyol): Is one of the strikers whose movement and playmaking could test Madrid's defense to the limit.

The absence of Pere Milla might force Espanyol to change their tactics.

What to Expect / Tactical Outlook

Real Madrid play for possession and try to set the tempo, finding space especially from wide areas (Vini Jr, Mbappé).

Espanyol can drop deeper, narrow in midfield and try to catch Madrid on the break or on set-pieces. They might try to exhaust Madrid through good defending and then press when Madrid lose the ball.

Huijsen's absence could be Madrid's weakness in defense that Espanyol will try to target, especially in the air or if Madrid push on.

If Madrid score first, Espanyol will not have any alternative but to throw more forward, and Madrid's pacey forwards could find space.

Prediction

With form and home advantage, Real Madrid are favourite. But the run of games without defeat and confidence of Espanyol make the upset a possibility. Realistically:

Real Madrid 2-0 Espanyol – Madrid win, but could not have been a romp.