Real Madrid take on Espanyol this afternoon looking to get back on track in the league after dropping two points last weekend.
After winning his first two games emphatically since taking charge, Zinedine Zidane was brought back down to earth with a bump last weekend when Real could only manage a 1-1 draw with Real Betis.
In Espanyol though, Los Blancos have perhaps the best opponent to face to get back to winning ways and try to keep the pressure up on Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid. The visitors have lost 13 of the last 15 games they have played at the Santiago Bernabeu and are currently on a run of seven straight defeats away from home. They have not lost eight in a row since 2002.
In terms of team news, the hosts will be without in-from forward Gareth Bale once again as he recover from a calf injury. Colombian playmaker James Rodriguez looks best placed to fill in for the 26-year-old. Despite doubts over Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos’ fitness earlier this week, both should be ready to take their place in the starting line up.
Possible Line Ups:
Real Madrid – Navas, Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo, Modirc, Kroos, Isco, Rodriguez, Benzema, Ronaldo
