Overview
In the first half of the season, Espanyol made a strong impression when they were in the top 4 leading teams, receiving many compliments thanks to stable form. However, entering 2026, the Catalan team has clearly declined when they have not yet won a single victory.
In fact, Manolo Gonzalez's team has not won since the last match of 2025, with a 16-match streak including 6 draws and 10 defeats, causing them to gradually drop in the La Liga standings.
However, Espanyol is currently only down to 13th place and not far from the European Cup group - 5 points behind Getafe, the team in sixth place. The opportunity to compete for a European Cup spot is still there, but the winless streak must end if they want to nurture hope.
Espanyol entered the next match after a goalless draw with Levante, the result came after two consecutive defeats against Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano.
In the opposite direction, Real Madrid is also not in good form. The Royal team once won 2-0 against Espanyol in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, but the corresponding match of the 2024-2025 season ended with a 0-1 defeat away from home.
Real Madrid is currently 14 points behind Barcelona as the opponent has won 2-1 against Osasuna. Alvaro Arbeloa's team must win to keep a slim hope in the championship race.
In fact, Real Madrid's chances of winning the championship at this time are very slim. The capital team showed unstable form in the 2025-2026 season, with significantly fewer wins than Barcelona, and far behind their opponent in scoring efficiency.
Not only facing difficulties in the domestic arena, Real Madrid also stopped in the UEFA Champions League after losing to Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals. A season with high expectations is at risk of ending in disappointment, especially when they also have to play away in the El Clasico match next weekend.
Real Madrid entered this match after a 1-1 draw with Real Betis and only won 1 of their last 6 matches in all competitions. The last time they triumphed away from home in La Liga was in early March.
The upcoming summer is predicted to be a turning point for Real Madrid, as the team needs to appoint a new coach as well as restructure the squad to overcome the weaknesses that have been revealed.
Personnel situation
Espanyol will not have the service of Pol Lozano in this match, after this midfielder was sent off in the final minutes of the goalless draw with Levante in the previous round.
Meanwhile, Javi Puado continues to be absent for a long time due to a serious knee injury. However, in general, the home team still has a good enough force to welcome Real Madrid.
On Real Madrid's side, a series of key players cannot play due to injuries, including Rodrygo, Eder Militao and Arda Guler - who are all out for the rest of the season. Kylian Mbappe will also be absent from this match.
Thibaut Courtois is likely to continue to be sidelined despite positive progress in the process of recovering from a thigh injury, and is expected to return in the El Clasico match. Meanwhile, Aurelien Tchouameni is having a calf problem and his ability to play is still uncertain, opening up a chance to start for Eduardo Camavinga.
In attack, Gonzalo Garcia is likely to be given the opportunity to replace Mbappe, while Brahim Diaz may continue to hold the position in the starting lineup.
Expected lineup:
Espanyol: Dmitrovic, El Hilali, Calero, Cabrera, Romero, Gonzalez, Exposito, Ngonge, Terrats, Milla, K. Garcia.
Real Madrid: Lunin, Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, Mendy, Valverde, Bellingham, Camavinga, Diaz, G. Garcia, Vinicius.
The match between Espanyol and Real Madrid takes place at 2:00 a.m. on May 4 (Vietnam time).
