Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo. (Photo : Getty Images)
Winless club RCD Espanyol (0-1-2, 2 points) is set to host Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid CF (3-0-0, 9 points) at their home field of Estadi Cornellà-El Prat this Sunday, Sep. 18 in a 2016-2017 La Liga season week 4 match.
Start Time and Streaming Info
The game starts at 2:45 p.m. ET. It can be viewed live online thru FuboTV.
Espanyol, who finished at the 13th spot last term, had a rough start to the current season with a 4-6 loss to Sevilla during their opener. It was followed by a 2-2 draw with Malaga in week 2 to finally gain their first point in the overall standings.
The team is coming off a 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad last Friday on the road at the Anoeta Stadium for their second consecutive stalemate performance, via Football Italia.
Head coach Quique Flores' side survived Javi Fuego's sending off during stoppage time to preserve the tie and a share of a point in the overall standings even as they botched an early lead that Argentine midfielder Pablo Piatti gave them with a goal at the 62nd minute.
The visitors were able to level the count at 1-1 with a goal from forward Willian Jose at the 78th.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid remained perfect after three weeks of competitions as last season's runner-up squad crushed newly-promoted club Osasuna, 5-2, at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium last Saturday, as per Daily Mail Online.
Three-time Ballon d'Or awardee Cristiano Ronaldo scored the opening goal at the sixth minute for Los Blancos on his first game back from injury.
Ronaldo only played 66 minutes, though, as his pact with head coach Zinedine Zidane, to ease him on his return to top form. He was replaced by French striker Karim Benzema, who was on the bench as Zidane favored youngster Alvaro Morata to start in the middle of the front three.
Defenders Danilo, Sergio Ramos, and Pepe and midfielder Luka Modric then scored the next four goals at the 40th, 45th+1, 56th, and 62nd minutes respectively as Los Vikingos built a 5-0 lead before Osasuna scored two consolation goals at the 64th and 78th courtesy of Oriol Riera and David Garcia.
Prediction and Predicted Lineup
The predicted result is a 3-0 rout for Real Madrid.
Espanyol starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Diego Lopez; Rios, David Lopez, Duarte, Sanchez; Gullon, Roca, Fuego, Piatti; Baptistao, Gerard
Real Madrid starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Casilla; Danilo, Pepe, Ramos, Nacho; Modric, Kroos, Kovacic; Bale, Morata, Ronaldo
