Real Madrid vs. Espanyol: LaLiga Showdown Preview

Fresh off a 2-1 victory against Olympique Marseille in their opening UEFA Champions League fixture, Real Madrid returns to their home ground this Saturday to host Espanyol. Under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid has enjoyed a dominant start to the 2025-26 LaLiga season, securing four wins from four matches, scoring eight goals while conceding only two. However, their upcoming opponents, Espanyol, have been one of the league`s surprising packages, currently sitting third in the standings with ten points and an undefeated record.

Real Madrid will be without Dean Huijsen, who serves a suspension following a red card in their last away game against Real Sociedad. Conversely, Vinicius Jr., who was a substitute against Marseille, is anticipated to feature in the starting eleven for this crucial LaLiga encounter.

Xabi Alonso on Vinicius Jr.`s Return

Addressing the situation concerning the Brazilian winger, Xabi Alonso shared his observations: “He appears well. Observing him from an external perspective is quite different. I felt yesterday wasn`t the opportune moment to speak with him, but today he displayed a brighter smile and a more positive demeanor. I engaged in conversation with him and, towards the end of the training session, we worked on some individual drills. We`ll assess the situation tomorrow. It`s about having that intuition; yesterday wasn`t the time, but today we spoke. We concluded the session on a positive note. We`ve completed five league matches, and there`s still a long journey ahead. This season is a marathon extending until May. We must approach our assessments gradually, allowing ample time for both the team and individual players.”

Possible Lineups