Espanyol vs Real Madrid: Preview, predictions and lineups | OneFootball

Real Madrid are on the hunt for a fifth straight La Liga win when they travel to relegation-threatened Espanyol on Saturday night.

The defending league champions have burst into life in recent weeks after kicking off the calendar year with a second drubbing of the season against rivals Barcelona.

A mouth-watering Champions League tie with Manchester City was Madrid's reward for putting RB Salzburg and Brest to the sword in recent weeks, but the whoopings have been extended to Copa del Rey and La Liga action too.

Celta Vigo, Las Palmas and Real Valladolid have all been swept aside lately, in an ominous show of form from Madrid. Victory here over an Espanyol side desperately struggling to score goals, will maintain at least a four-point advantage over Atletico Madrid and a six-point gap to Barcelona at the top.

Here is 90min's guide to the game.

What time does Espanyol vs Real Madrid kick-off?

Espanyol vs Real Madrid head-to-head record (last five games)

Current form (all competitions)

How to watch Espanyol vs Real Madrid on TV - UK & US

Espanyol team news

Roberto Fernandez (left) is a new signing for Espanyol / Octavio Passos/GettyImages

Brian Olivan is a major doubt for the hosts after being forced off against Sevilla in Espanyol's last La Liga game., with Carlos Romero his likely replacement at left-back.

Salvi Sanchez and Jose Gragera, who has a broken finger, are still sidelined but a debut could be handed to forward Roberto Fernandez after his arrival from Braga on loan.

Espanyol predicted lineup vs Real Madrid

Espanyol predicted lineup vs Real Madrid (4-4-2): Garcia; El Hilali, Kumbulla, Cabrera, Romero; Carreras, Kral, Lozano, Tejero; Puado, Fernandez

Real Madrid team news

David Alaba's return from long-term injury is going smoothly / Diego Souto/GettyImages

Real Madrid's injury problems are reducing with each passing week, though versatile midfielder Eduardo Camavinga is still nursing a hamstring issue.

David Alaba is fully fit and ready to be thrust back into action, but the Austrian's minutes will be managed carefully by Carlo Ancelotti to ensure he's fit and available for tougher tests than this one.

Raul Asencio should get another start alongside Antonio Rudiger as a result, flanked at full-back by Lucas Vazquez and Ferland Mendy. Long-term casualties Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao are the only two other players not in contention.

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Espanyol (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Vazquez, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius Junior; Mbappe.

Espanyol vs Real Madrid score prediction

With Real Madrid in top form and scoring goals for fun, it's highly unlikely that Espanyol will spring a surprise despite having home advantage.

Ancelotti's side appear to have taken the Supercopa de Espana humbling at the hands of Clasico rivals Barcelona to heart, scoring 20 goals in their first outings since. On two occasions they have netted five times, and more importantly Kylian Mbappe has been played into form.

With Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham also having a thirst for goals, it could be another fun-filled night for the 15-time Champions League winners.