Real Madrid to rest three key players for their game against Espanyol

Later tonight, Real Madrid, the reigning champions, will host a Espanyol team that is riding high in the league with the goal of making it three straight wins. After winning their past two games, Espanyol is now 12th in the league with seven points, while Los Blancos have amassed 11 points through their first five La Liga matches of the season and are currently ranked third in the standings.

Real Madrid hasn't quite found their best form yet this season, but they've still had a strong start as the defending La Liga champions have won three and drawn two of their five games to accumulate 11 points, placing them third in the standings and four points behind leaders FC Barcelona.

Before travelling to Lille for their second game in the league stage of the UEFA Champions League at the beginning of October, Los Blancos currently have three league games remaining against Espanyol, Alaves, and Atletico Madrid.

Real Madrid is undefeated at home in the league versus Saturday's rivals since April 1996, which speaks volumes about the difficulty of the away team's assignment in this match. Real Madrid has won the previous three league matches against RCD Espanyol, which includes a 3-1 triumph at Bernabeu in the 2022–23 campaign.

Vinicius Jr., Ferland Mendy and Antonio Rudiger to be rested

For this weekend's match against Espanyol, Brahim Diaz, Dani Ceballos, Eduardo Camavinga, and David Alaba will all be out by injury for Real Madrid once more. After returning from injury, Bellingham completed 80 minutes in the UEFA Champions League match against Stuttgart. The England star is expected to start this game.

There are reports circling on twitter that Carlo Ancelloti has decided to rest three of his star players for this clash. Vinicius Jr., Ferland Mendy and Antonio Rudiger are the ones expected to be rested. Endrick became Real Madrid's youngest-ever UEFA Champions League scorer with his second goal for the team against Stuttgart, but the 18-year-old might be able to make his full debut in La Liga if the reports are true.