Overview
- Madrid top the table after four wins to start the league under new coach Xabi Alonso, while Espanyol sit third on 10 points and have yet to lose.
- Xabi Alonso’s side beat Marseille 2-1 in the Champions League as Kylian Mbappé scored two penalties to reach 50 Real Madrid goals, with Dani Carvajal sent off.
- Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to be sidelined for around six weeks with a hamstring injury, Ferland Mendy remains out, and Dean Huijsen’s red card is under appeal after officials acknowledged an error.
- Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga returned to the bench in midweek and could feature as Alonso signals further rotation of his squad.
- Espanyol have recorded wins over Atletico Madrid, Osasuna and Mallorca, and top scorer Pere Milla is suspended, with Kike García tipped to start.