Prediction for the Espanyol vs Real Madrid match: "Galacticos" kick off their La Liga campaign - 22.08.2026
The second round of La Liga brings us the first major test for Jose Mourinho’s new-look Real Madrid. On August 22, the Madrid side heads to Barcelona to face Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium. Kick-off is set for 21:30 local time, and the match promises to be a thriller, if only because both teams come into it in completely different form.
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Espanyol has already tasted official competition this season. In the opening round, the Catalans confidently dispatched Levante at home with a 3-0 victory. Roberto Fernandez netted a brace before halftime, and Tyhrys Dolan put the finishing touch in the 80th minute. Manolo Gonzalez’s team didn’t just secure three points—they did so in dominant fashion, leaving their opponents with no chance of a comeback.
Now, the level of opposition will be entirely different. Espanyol will have to test how well their game plan works against one of the league’s top title contenders. And the home field advantage can’t be underestimated: the RCDE Stadium will surely be packed, and the hosts have gained extra confidence after such a strong start. Their main objective will be to avoid sitting too deep and to capitalize on the counterattacking opportunities that are sure to come.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, finds itself in an unusual position. Los Blancos missed the opening round after their match with Real Sociedad was postponed due to the large number of players still competing at the World Cup. As a result, this clash with Espanyol will be their first official match of the season, with the rescheduled game against Sociedad coming just four days later.
All eyes, of course, will be on Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese tactician returns to Madrid after many years, tasked with a clear mission: to restore Real Madrid to the summit of Spanish football after two trophyless seasons. The squad looks ambitious—Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior still spearhead the attack, and the club made significant reinforcements over the summer. Mourinho is once again expected to build a team that’s a nightmare to attack and even harder to beat.
But here’s the big question: how quickly can Real Madrid hit their stride in official competition? On paper, they have the edge in quality and squad depth, but Espanyol already has a full match under their belt and is in match rhythm. For the hosts, this is a golden opportunity to exploit any opening-day rustiness from the visitors.
On paper, Real Madrid are the clear favorites, but this is unlikely to be a walk in the park. Espanyol has already shown they can start matches with real intensity, and the home crowd will give them an extra boost. For Madrid, it’s vital to make a statement from the opening minutes—that Mourinho’s return isn’t just a feel-good story, but the launch of a new project.
In short, this is a real test for both sides: Espanyol will look to replicate their bright start, while Real Madrid aims to make a bold opening statement in a new era. And if the Madridistas are truly gunning for the title, it’s fixtures like these away from home that will define their campaign.
My prediction: Real Madrid win.
Probable lineups:
- Espanyol: Dmitrovic, Hilali, Riedel, Nunez, Hinojo, Gonzalez, Exposito, Calatrava, Hernandez, Dolan, Fernandez.
- Real Madrid: Courtois, Cucurella, Huijsen, Konate, Dumfries, Valverde, Silva, Diaz, Guler, Vinicius Jr, Mbappe.
