- Real Madrid are the early leaders of LaLiga 2025/2026 with 12 points from 4 games.
- Espanyol are third in the standings, also unbeaten with 10 points from 4 matches.
Alonso’s Madrid mean business
The Real Madrid vs RCD Espanyol prediction is that Real Madrid are the very early LaLiga 2025/2026 leaders with 12 points from 4 perfect games and they should have too much for Espanyol, who sit third and have also made a fine start to the new season with 10 points from their opening four matches.
Xabi Alonso has made his mark on the team in the few months since taking over as manager in June 2025, implementing a system that overloads the middle of the park with players while the wing-backs provide width. Madrid press high up the pitch and are well organised, especially for a young side, in terms of their structure when out of possession. They are very dangerous in transition and have the quality to put teams under pressure by keeping the ball in the opposing half.
Kylian Mbappé is in prolific form for the home side, scoring 4 in 4 LaLiga fixtures to date and should be a constant threat against Espanyol’s defence on Saturday.
Pragmatic visitors will test Alonso’s side
Espanyol will be the most defensive side Real Madrid have faced so far under Alonso, so this Real Madrid vs RCD Espanyol preview will be a good measure of how his system has progressed against one of LaLiga’s most disciplined units.
Manolo González has brought a sense of stability and organisation to the Catalan outfit since his appointment as coach in March 2024, preferring to set his side up in a pragmatic 4-4-2 or 4-1-4-1 that can stay compact and deny the opposition space.
Pere Milla, who has three goals in four LaLiga games, will be their main threat as Espanyol are not a team to dominate the possession or try to play at their opponents. They will look to stay solid and strike on the counter and from set pieces.
Los Merengues should have too much
Madrid come into this game off the back of two successive 0-0 ties against Olympique Marseille in the Champions League, but beat Real Sociedad 2-1 away from home in their most recent LaLiga fixture.
They are not invincible at home, winning both of their home fixtures and conceding just once, while Espanyol are solid travellers. They are unbeaten away in LaLiga 2025/2026 after drawing their only away match, although they still need a first win on the road.
Taking into account the Real Madrid vs RCD Espanyol betting tips, backing under 2.5 goals could be a value bet if Espanyol stay tight for large periods, but Real Madrid have too much quality and home advantage and should have enough to earn the win. Espanyol last won this fixture seven months ago in LaLiga 2024/2025, but they have failed to win in their previous two visits to the Spanish capital. For the best insight, our Real Madrid vs RCD Espanyol prediction continues to favor the hosts.
