Real Madrid’s starting lineup against Espanyol in LaLiga today
Ahead of a must-win game for Real Madrid, there appear to be selection doubts over just one position in Álvaro Arbeloa’s XI.
There appears to be only one question mark over Álvaro Arbeloa’s team selection in Barcelona today, as Real Madrid seek to keep their slim LaLiga title hopes alive against Espanyol.
On the left-hand side of the midfield, Arbeloa has a choice between Thiago Pitarch or Eduardo Camavinga. The club has continued to weigh the possibility of sending Pitarch back down to Castilla to help the Madrid ‘B’ team’s push for promotion from the third tier; however, with Dani Ceballos out of favor and Arda Güler injured, his absence would leave the midfield without any cover. So tonight Pitarch will be at RCDE Stadium. The question is whether or not the teenager features from the opening whistle.
The rest of the Madrid XI offers fewer doubts. Andriy Lunin will keep his place between the posts, in what could be his final appearance for the time being: the plan is for Thibaut Courtois to start next weekend’s Clásico against Barça. With Dani Carvajal unavailable, Trent Alexander-Arnold will again slot in at right back, still working to convince England boss Thomas Tuchel to change his mind and take him to the World Cup. Meanwhile, Álvaro Carreras appears to have the edge on the left. At center back, it’s Antonio Rüdiger alongside Dean Huijsen - another position without any real debate now that Éder Militão has been ruled out.
Tchouaméni returns
In midfield, Aurélien Tchouaméni is set to come back into the side, partnered by a Jude Bellingham who is slowly but surely rediscovering his best form. Fede Valverde will drift out to the right, while the left side remains the big question. Pitarch or Camavinga: that’s Arbeloa’s dilemma. Up front, with Kylian Mbappé absent through injury, the attack is set to revert to the Brahim Díaz‑Vinícius Júnior pairing.
Real Madrid’s likely lineup against Espanyol:
Lunin; Trent, Rüdiger, Huijsen, Carreras; Valverde, Tchouaméni, Bellingham, Thiago/Camavinga; Brahim, Vinícius.
Real Madrid’s injured players:
- Dani Carvajal: toe
- Thibaut Courtois: thigh
- Arda Güler: hamstring
- Kylian Mbappé: hamstring
- Éder Militão: hamstring
- Rodrygo Goes: knee
Espanyol vs Real Madrid: kickoff times, how to watch
On matchday 34 of LaLiga, Espanyol and Real Madrid meet today, Sunday May 3, with kickoff scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET/12 noon PT. Viewers in the U.S. can watch the game live on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Select and the ESPN App. Your streaming options also include fubo, which offers a free trial.
Madrid head to RCDE Stadium knowing they must win to prolong the LaLiga title race into matchday 35. After Barcelona’s win over Osasuna on Friday, Los Blancos are 14 points behind the league leaders, with only three games still to play after this weekend.
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