This Sunday night at 21:00 CEST, the RCDE Stadium sets the stage for a high-stakes La Liga clash as Espanyol welcome Real Madrid. With Barcelona just a favorable result away from clinching the title, Espanyol find themselves in a precarious position—only five points above the relegation zone. Every point is crucial for Los Pericos, while Real Madrid, trailing by 14 points, are eager to avoid any talk of a guard of honor ahead of next week's season-defining Clásico.

Injury woes continue to plague both camps. Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal joins an extensive list of absentees that already includes Thibaut Courtois, Kylian Mbappé, Arda Güler, Eder Militão, and Rodrygo Goes. Espanyol, meanwhile, have lost Cyril Ngongé late in the week, with Javi Puado also sidelined and midfielder Pol Lozano suspended for the match.

According to reports, Gonzalo García is in line for a rare starting role for Real Madrid, with Aurelién Tchouaméni returning to midfield in place of Thiago Pitarch. The only other expected change from their 1-1 draw with Real Betis is Álvaro Carreras reclaiming the left-back spot. However, Diario AS suggests Pitarch might retain his place, potentially pushing Eduardo Camavinga into the lineup as manager Alvaro Arbeloa searches for options. Franco Mastantuono remains the only other attacking threat on the bench.

At Espanyol, manager Manolo Gonzalez faces a tough decision up front: the experience of Kike García or the energy of Roberto Fernández? Otherwise, the lineup is fairly settled, with Tyrhys Dolan stepping in for the injured Ngongé, and Urko González and Edu Expósito anchoring the midfield in Lozano's absence.

Espanyol are desperate to snap a 16-game winless streak that has stretched through the entire 2026 season, while Real Madrid are seeking just their second win since March, having managed only one victory in their last seven outings. With so much on the line, this Sunday's encounter promises to be a battle of resilience and desperation.