Espanyol vs Real Madrid predictions and betting tips – Blancos title hopes over?

It is virtually impossible to imagine Real Madrid winning the La Liga title this season. Alvaro Arbeloa’s side need Barcelona to slip up several times if they are to overtake them in top spot.

The Clasico is scheduled for next weekend, but Madrid will be keen to gain ground on their rivals before then. Will the Blancos take care of business on Sunday?

*Odds are subject to change

Espanyol vs Real Madrid head to head overview

• Date: Sunday 3rd May.
• Kick-off: 8pm.
• Venue: RCDE Stadium, Barcelona, Spain.
• Where to watch: Premier Sports 1.
• Referee: TBC.
• VAR: Yes.
• Last meeting: 20th September 2025; Real Madrid 2-0 Espanyol.
• Last 10 matches: Espanyol – 2 wins; Real Madrid – 8 wins; Draws – 0.
• Favourite to win: Real Madrid.

Espanyol vs Real Madrid predicted lineups

• Espanyol expected lineup: Dmitrovic; El Hilali, Calero, Cabrera, Romero; Ngonge, Terrats, Gonzalez, Milla; Kike, Exposito.
• Real Madrid expected lineup: Lunin; Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, Mendy; Diaz, Pitarch, Valverde, Bellingham; G. Garcia, Vinicius.

Espanyol vs Real Madrid predictions

It was surely the final nail in the coffin for Real Madrid’s La Liga title hopes.

Facing Real Betis last weekend, the Blancos knew that anything less than a win would all but hand the championship to Barcelona. 

Leading 1-0 as the game entered second-half stoppage time, it looked like Madrid had taken care of business. But one final push from Real Betis was rewarded in dramatic fashion, as Hector Bellerin notched a last-gasp equaliser to earn his team a point.

The following day, Barcelona beat Getafe 2-0 to extend their lead at the summit of the standings to 11 points. 

Madrid are not mathematically out of the race just yet, but with five games left they have accepted they will finish second.

Barcelona could seal the deal as early as this weekend. If the Blaugrana beat Osasuna and Madrid drop points against Espanyol, the title will be theirs.

In a strange way, some Madrid fans would not mind that. A potential alternative is that Barcelona claim the crown by winning the Clasico next weekend. That is a nightmare scenario for Madrid.

However, regardless of the feeling of the supporters, professional pride will ensure that Madrid’s players go all-out for victory against Espanyol. 

Despite having had a poor season by the club’s high standards, Alvaro Arbeloa’s side will believe they are capable of winning at the Camp Nou on May 10 to prolong Barcelona’s wait.

But whatever happens in the next couple of weeks, Madrid will end the campaign without a trophy. Given the club’s glorious history, that is unacceptable whichever way you slice it.

Espanyol vs Real Madrid betting tips

Real Madrid head to Barcelona to face Espanyol in their latest La Liga assignment.

Madrid back to winning ways

With Real Madrid set to end the season empty-handed, it is hard to see Arbeloa landing the managerial job on a full-time basis.

The search for a new coach is under way, with recent reports suggesting that president Florentino Perez wants to personally handpick Arbeloa’s successor.

There is even more noise around Madrid than usual right now, but the team must try and focus on the task at hand.

Espanyol are on a 16-game winless streak in La Liga, so the visitors to the RCDE Stadium will probably have too much for them.

⚽ Back Real Madrid to win at 3/4 with Spreadex ⚽

Uneventful encounter in store

Real Madrid have not been firing on all cylinders for some time now, but Espanyol are in much worse form than the Blancos.

Their last victory in La Liga came before Christmas. Relegation remains unlikely, but a five-point lead over the bottom three is not large enough for comfort. 

Espanyol will attempt to make life difficult for Madrid on Sunday. They have drawn two of their last four games 0-0, and that would be a good result here.

Madrid have looked laboured of late, with the team’s attack functioning as less than the sum of its parts. Do not be surprised if there is a low goal count in this one.

⚽ Tip under 2.5 goals at 6/4 with 247Bet ⚽

Vinicius on target

Overall, Arbeloa has not done enough to convince his superiors at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu that he is capable of leading Real Madrid permanently.

That is not to say the interim boss has been a complete failure, however. Indeed, one undoubted positive from his tenure is the return to form of Vinicius Junior.

Arbeloa has paired the Brazilian with Kylian Mbappe up front in a 4-4-2 formation, and Vinicius has been much improved after a difficult first half of the campaign (Mbappe, incidentally, is out this weekend).

Vinicius has scored in back-to-back games, taking his tally to 12 goals in his last 17 appearances for Madrid. He is our pick to make the net bulge against Espanyol.

⚽ Go for Vinicius Junior to score any time at 7/5 with GrandIvy ⚽

Espanyol vs Real Madrid latest odds

Find the latest Espanyol vs Real Madrid betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

More La Liga predictions

We have plenty more La Liga predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

Important historical facts about Espanyol and Real Madrid for betting

There have been no draws in the last 23 meetings between Espanyol and Real Madrid. Espanyol have the worst first-half home record in La Liga this season. Real Madrid have only won one of their last four league games on the road.

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