La Liga leaders Real Madrid return to domestic action at home to Espanyol on September 20.
Xabi Alonso's side have enjoyed a superb start to the 2025/26 campaign with four wins from four league games under the former Spain international.
That form was carried into the UEFA Champions League in midweek as two Kylian Mbappe penalties sealed a 2-1 home win over Marseille.
However, a clash with Espanyol could be tricky for Alonso, with the visitors unbeaten since the start of the campaign.
Manolo Gonzalez's side have picked up 10 points from four outings, and they sit behind Barcelona in third place in the standings.
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Real Madrid vs. Espanyol lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, injury latest
Alonso is facing a growing defensive headache with Trent Alexander-Arnold expected to miss the next six weeks with a hamstring injury. The England international was forced off after just five minutes against Marseille.
Centre-back Antonio Rudiger is ruled out until 2026, Ferland Mendy remains sidelined and Dean Huijsen is set to serve a one-game suspension. Real Madrid are still waiting on a appeal regarding Huijsen, after La Liga admitted his red card at Real Sociedad last weekend was an error by the officials.
One confirmed positive for Alonso is the early return of Jude Bellingham following shoulder surgery, and with Aurelien Tchouameni potentially dropping into defence, the England star could start in midfield.
Real Madrid predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1): Courtois (GK) — Carvajal, Tchouameni, Militao, Carreras — Valverde, Bellingham — Mastantuono, Guler, Vinicius Junior — Mbappe
Injured: Alexander-Arnold (hamstring), Rudiger (hamstring), Mendy (muscle)
Suspended: Huijsen
Gonzalez has opted for little change within his ranks after a strong start to 2025/26. However, he will be forced into one switch, with top scorer Pere Milla serving a one-game ban following his red card in the win over Mallorca.
Veteran forward Kike Garcia is set to come in as his replacement after netting the clincher from the penalty spot last time out.
Espanyol predicted starting XI (4-5-1): Dmitrovic (GK) — El Hilali, Cabrera, Calero, Romero — Dolan, Gonzalez, Lozano, Pickel, Puado — Garcia
Injured: Olivan (calf), Gragera (muscle)
Suspended: Milla
Real Madrid vs. Espanyol match details
- Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
- Kickoff time: 4:15 p.m. local / 7:45 p.m. IST
- Location: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid (Spain)
- Competition: La Liga
- Referee: TBC
- VAR: TBC