MX23RW : Wednesday, October 2 15:07:41| >> :120:18606:18606:
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Attendance: 19,805
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La Liga
Feb 27, 2018 at 7pm UK
 
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1-0

Moreno (90')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Team News: Gareth Bale leads Real Madrid line at Espanyol, Cristiano Ronaldo misses out

Gareth Bale will lead Real Madrid's forward line against Espanyol in the absence of Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo, as boss Zinedine Zidane makes five changes.

Gareth Bale will lead Real Madrid's forward line against Espanyol in the absence of Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Los Blancos' famed 'BBC' forward trio all netted in the 4-0 win over Alaves at the weekend - the first time that has happened since April 2016.

Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has opted to rotate for the midweek trip to the RCDE Stadium, however, as Benzema drops down to the bench and Ronaldo misses out on the 18-man squad entirely.

With an eye on next week's crucial Champions League last-16 second-leg tie at Paris Saint-Germain, Zidane has instead turned to in-form attacker Marco Asensio to support Bale in one of five changes from last time out.

Captain Sergio Ramos returns from suspension and Marcos Llorente is also handed a rare start - his third of the season - taking over from the absent Casemiro, who is out with a stomach complaint.

As far as the home side are concerned, they will be led by top scorer Gerard Moreno, boasting 10 goals in 24 La Liga outings this term, while support will be offered by Pablo Piatti and Sergio Garcia.

Central midfield is comprised of Carlos Sanchez, Sergi Darder and David Lopez, meanwhile, as the Periquitos look to climb the table from their current position of 18th.

Espanyol: Diego Lopez; Navarro, Victor Sanchez, Duarte, Aaron; Darder, David Lopez, Carlos Sanchez; Piatti, Gerard, Sergio Garcia
Subs: Paul Lopez, Naldo, Jurado, Baptistao, Didac, Roca, Granero

Real Madrid: Navas; Achraf, Sergio Ramos, Varane, Nacho; Llorente, Kovacic; Lucas Vazquez, Isco, Asensio; Bale
Subs: Kiko Casilla, Carvajal, Theo, Dani Ceballos, Oscar, Borja Mayoral, Benzema

Follow all of the action as it unfolds in Catalonia with Sports Mole's live text coverage right here.

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Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring during the La Liga game between Getafe and Real Madrid on October 14, 2017
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona87012591621
2Real Madrid85301761118
3Villarreal85211715217
4Atletico MadridAtletico8440124816
5Athletic Bilbao8422128414
6Mallorca842286214
7Osasuna84221213-114
8Real BetisBetis833287112
9Rayo Vallecano824298110
10Celta Vigo83141515010
11AlavesAlaves83141112-110
12GironaGirona8233911-29
13Sevilla8233810-29
14Real Sociedad822467-18
15Getafe814356-17
16Leganes814359-47
17Espanyol8215712-57
18Valencia8125513-85
19Real ValladolidValladolid8125417-135
20Las PalmasLas Palmas8035916-73


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