Espanyol will face Real Madrid at the RCDE Stadium on Sunday, May 3, 2026, in an important La Liga Round 34 match. This is a crucial game for both teams as Espanyol fight to secure their top flight status while Real Madrid chase the title. Fans can prepare by watching Real Madrid’s last match highlights on their official YouTube channel, which shows their recent 1-1 draw against Real Betis.
Watch video below;
The context of this match is very important. Espanyol are 13th with 39 points and still searching for their first win of 2026, while Real Madrid sit second but trail Barcelona by 11 points. Both sides enter with recent mixed outcomes. While this battle takes place in Catalonia, significant off field developments are unfolding at the club. The Real Madrid president is expected to personally lead the process of selecting the next head coach.
Team News
Espanyol will miss Pol Lozano after his red card in the goalless draw against Levante. Javi Puado remains sidelined with a long term knee problem, though the rest of the squad is largely available. Real Madrid face a long list of absences, with Rodrygo, Arda Güler, and others ruled out for the season. Kylian Mbappé will not feature, Thibaut Courtois is still recovering, and Dani Carvajal withdrew late with a fractured foot. Éder Militão successfully underwent surgery on a hamstring problem and is aiming for a return around September.
Espanyol showed promise early in the season but have struggled badly in 2026, failing to win any league game and collecting just six draws from 16 matches. Real Madrid have been inconsistent lately, winning only one of their last six games across all competitions and suffering an early Champions League exit. Report understands that home motivation for Espanyol and Real Madrid’s need for points will make this a tense encounter.
Possible Lineups
Expected Espanyol XI:
Dmitrovic, El Hilali, Calero, Cabrera, Romero, Gonzalez, Exposito, Ngonge, Terrats, Milla, K Garcia.
Expected Real Madrid XI:
Lunin, Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, Mendy, Valverde, Bellingham, Camavinga, Diaz, G Garcia, Vinicius.
Brief explanation of key choices: Espanyol are expected to keep a solid shape with Kike García leading the attack. Real Madrid will rotate heavily due to injuries, giving chances to players like Gonzalo García and Brahim Díaz in forward areas.
How to Watch
Fans can watch the match live on different sports channels and streaming platforms depending on their location.
| Channel | Kickoff Time (CEST) | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Movistar LaLiga | 21:00 | May 3, 2026 |
| ESPN+ (USA) | 15:00 ET | May 3, 2026 |
| DAZN | 21:00 | May 3, 2026 |
Match Prediction
Softfootball predicts a 1-2 win for Real Madrid.
Espanyol have been winless for a long time this year, making it difficult for them to stop a Real Madrid side that remains dangerous even with several players missing. A victory here would keep slim title hopes alive for Los Blancos, though only a major turnaround would allow them to catch Barcelona.
