After looking unbeatable in the latter stages of last year, 2015 has started with two disappointing results in less than a week for Real Madrid.
A run of 22 successive victories in all competitions ended with a 2-1 loss to Valencia last week, and another defeat quickly followed as Atletico Madrid claimed a 2-0 win over their city rivals in the first leg of the Copa del Rey last-16 tie.
At one stage Carlo Ancelotti's side appeared to be in cruise control in every competition, but now the Italian must see a reaction from his side ahead of Espanyol's visit to the Spanish capital.
Madrid remain one point ahead of Barcelona in the title race with a game in hand, and kicking off earlier than their rivals this weekend will give the European champions the opportunity to pile the pressure on their fierce rivals.
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to return to the team from the start after coming off the bench in the defeat to Atletico, while Iker Casillas and Dani Carvajal are also likely to be recalled by Ancelotti.
Espanyol suffered their own disappointment in the Copa del Rey in midweek as they lost 2-1 in the first leg of their tie with Valencia, and they could drop into the bottom half of the table if they slip to a third successive loss in all competitions.
The likes of Kiko Casilla, Felipe Caicedo and Paco Montanes are all set to be welcomed back into the team as head coach Sergio looks to cause a shock at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid:
Form in Championship: WWWWWL
Form in all competitions: WWWWLL
Possible starting lineup: Casillas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Khedira, Isco; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo
Espanyol:
Form in La Liga: LWLWWL
Form in all competitions: LWWWLL
Possible starting lineup: Kiko, Colotto, Arbilla, Fuentes, Morilla, Gonzalez, Sanchez, Montanes, Canas, Garcia, Caicedo
Sports Mole says: 4-0
Callum Mulvihill
