Espanyol are staring down the barrel of a disastrous 2026, and their next match against Real Madrid could have seismic consequences—not just for their own survival, but for the La Liga title race. After going winless in all of 2026, the struggling side finally has a chance to break that streak on Sunday. But if they do, they might just hand their bitter city rivals Barcelona the championship.
It’s a twist that will sit uncomfortably with Espanyol fans, who would rather not see Hansi Flick’s Barcelona lift a second consecutive Spanish league trophy. However, with just five games left in the season, the club’s top-flight status is hanging by a thread. Currently sitting in 13th place, Espanyol are only five points clear of the relegation zone—a far cry from their dazzling start to the season.
Back at Christmas, Manolo González’s side looked like contenders for a Champions League spot, sitting fifth and turning heads across Spain. But the wheels have come off in spectacular fashion. Their 16-game winless run began on January 3, when Barcelona beat them 2-0, and the spiral has only tightened since. Fans voiced their frustration after a goalless draw against lowly Levante on Monday—a missed opportunity to finally turn things around.
“The players are carrying a heavy burden,” González admitted. “Just like in the first half of the season, momentum carried us to wins we didn’t always deserve. Now, even when we deserve to win, we can’t manage it. The team gives everything, but it’s not enough.”
If Barcelona beat Osasuna on Saturday, a slip-up by Real Madrid against Espanyol would hand the title to the Catalan giants. Barca enter the weekend with an 11-point lead over second-placed Madrid, and the trophy is within touching distance. For Madrid, the stakes are high too—not just for pride, but for avoiding the humiliation of giving Barcelona a guard of honor at the Camp Nou on May 10.
Real Madrid are also dealing with their own sense of failure. After a second consecutive season without a major trophy, reports are swirling that the club may turn to former boss José Mourinho to replace current manager Álvaro Arbeloa this summer. For now, though, their focus is on delaying Barcelona’s celebrations and salvaging some dignity from a disappointing campaign.
For Espanyol, the math is simple: win, and they breathe life into their survival hopes while potentially derailing their rivals’ title party. Lose, and the path to safety gets even steeper. Sunday’s clash isn’t just about pride—it’s about survival, legacy, and the unpredictable drama that makes La Liga so compelling.