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Real Madrid vs Espanyol: LaLiga prediction, team news, lineups, how to stream and watch on TV

Getty Images
Getty Images

Real Madrid will seek to win their fourth consecutive LaLiga contest when they face Espanyol today.

After struggling for consistency for the last year or so, Real Madrid appear to have found their feet again under Zinedine Zidane.

Another win today will again take Real Madrid above Barcelona before the latter host Mallorca, with the rearranged Clasico fast approaching.

However, Zidane's injury list is increasing and is likely to have to do without Eden Hazard until the New Year.

The match is on Saturday, December 7. Kick-off is at 12pm BST.

Team news and lineups

Hazard (knee), Gareth Bale (hamstring) and Marcelo (calf) are all out.

The Belgian was expected to be out for 10 days, but the problem is worse than originally thought and could now be sidelined for a month. Bale should return next week. Ferland Mendy will come in at left-back.

With Lucas Vazquez, James Rodriguez and Marco Asensio all out, Zinedine Zidane could include Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr alongside Karim Benzema in attack.

Isco is another alternative in Hazard’s absence, the midfielder having started and impressed in the past two games for Real - against PSG and Alaves.

How we think the sides could line up…

Real Madrid: Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Mendy; Casemiro, Valverde, Kroos; Rodrygo, Benzema, Isco

Espanyol: Diego Lopez; Calero, Espinosa, David Lopez; Roca; Pedrosa, Darder, Melendo, Avila; Wu, Calleri

(REUTERS)
(REUTERS)

How to stream and watch on TV

The match will be shown on LaLigaTV, available with Premier Sports as part of its channel bundle on Sky TV and the Premier Player OTT streaming service for just £11.99 per month or £99 per year (with pricing and launch date on Virgin TV to be confirmed).

You can follow all the action with Standard Sport's LIVE blog on the day with Ben Hayward.

Match prediction: Real Madrid 2-0 Espanyol

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