REAL MADRID V ESPANYOL: LOS BLANCOS SEAL 35TH LA LIGA TITLE WITH FOUR-STAR SHOWING

Espanyol have a rare bit of possession that leads to Vilhena striking from distance. His shot is deflected out over the bar for a corner.

Modric feeds Mariano whose shot is deflected out for a corner that Espanyol deal with comfortably.

The Madrid players are tapping it around comfortably.

Real Madrid look to clinch the title with four games to spare!

The papers claim Manchester City are battling the Spanish giants for Haaland's signature.

It has been over 25 years since Los Pericos beat Real Madrid in Madrid. In April 1996 Jordi Lardin’s brace earned a 2-1 win for an Espanyol team coached by former Real Madrid player Jose Antonio Camacho.

Since then, Espanyol have recorded 22 wins and three draws in 25 meetings in the Spanish capital.

Even if Los Blancos lose to Espanyol, they will win the league this weekend if Xavi Hernandez’s Barcelona side drop points at home to Real Mallorca on Sunday night. Barcelona's form has fallen off a cliff in recent weeks.

The Espanyol manager said: “I won’t sign away the tie. Before the game starts, you always must think about winning and then we’ll see how the ninety minutes go.

“Our idea is always to win and even if it’s Madrid, it’s no different.”

Speaking of “great tennis players” Madrid fan Rafael Nadal will be among those hoping to cheer Ancelotti’s side to the title.

Before the game Ancelotti called on his team to seize their opportunity to win the league.

The Real boss said: “After the match against Manchester City, the players were already thinking about Espanyol.

“The great tennis players, when they are on match point, they win it. I hope that we’ll be able to do that tomorrow.”

Benzema has been rested with Ancelotti keeping one eye on the club’s Champions League second leg tie against Manchester City on Wednesday.

Casemiro, who was only fit enough to sit on the bench against Manchester City, returns.

Meanwhile Ancelotti has been robbed of three of his first-choice centre-backs this weekend. David Alaba was forced off at half-time in Real’s last two matches, with the Austrian suffering with adductor discomfort. Nacho Fernandez and Eder Militao are suspended.

Real Madrid– Courtois, Vazquez, Vallejo, Casemiro, Marcelo, Modric, Camavinga, Ceballos, Rodrygo, Diaz Mejia, Asensio ... Subs: Carvajal, Kroos, Benzema, Lunin, Valverde, Vinicius, Mendy, Gila, Pineiro /// Espanyol- Lopez, Vidal, Gomez, Calero, Cabrera, Vilhena, Herrera, Darder, Melendo Jimenez, Puado, De Tomas... Subs: Oier, Juan Llambrich, Morlanes, Wu, Merida, David Lopez, L Garcia, Didac Vila, Dimata, Melamed, Embarba, J Garcia

Follow live updates of Real Madrid’s LaLiga clash with Espanyol at the Santiago Bernabeu. Real Madrid need just a draw to claim the title with four games to spare, but looking to spoil the party is Espanyol, who beat Los Blancos in the reverse fixture in October.

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