MX23RW : Sunday, November 24 00:25:52| >> :60:1587:1587:
[monks data]
Espanyol logo
La Liga
Sep 18, 2016 at 7.45pm UK
 
Real Madrid logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-1)
Rodriguez (45'), Benzema (71')

Team News: Karim Benzema, James Rodriguez handed first league starts

Real Madrid, without Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo, hand first league starts of the season to Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez for the trip to Espanyol.

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has named Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez in his starting lineup for this evening's clash against Espanyol.

It is the first time both players have featured from the off in a La Liga game this term, although Los Blancos will be without two of their other star forward players as both Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale are absent.

Benzema has slowly been integrated back into the fold this term, featuring for just 26 minutes in the league and a little over an hour in the Champions League win over Sporting Lisbon last time out, while Rodriguez has featured from the bench on two occasions.

Lucas Vazquez and Marco Asensio will flank Benzema in the absence of Bale and Ronaldo, in what is expected to be a 4-3-3 formation, with Rodriguez dropping into midfield alongside Luka Modric.

In terms of the hosts, Pape Diop comes into the side from last time out due to a suspension picked up by Javi Fuego, while Marc Roca makes his third league appearance for the Periquitos.

Espanyol: Diego Lopez; J.Lopez, D.Lopez, O.Duarte, Sanchez; Perez, Diop, Roca, Piatti; Baptistao, Moreno

Real Madrid: Casilla; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Casemiro, Modric, James; Lucas, Benzema, Asensio

Follow all of the action as it unfolds at the Estadi Cornella-El Prat with Sports Mole's live text coverage right here.

ID:281567: cacheID:281567:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3434:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
James Rodriguez celebrates scoring during the La Liga game between Real Madrid and Eibar on April 9, 2016
Read Next:
Report: Mourinho wants James Rodriguez
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Vikings
@
Bears
6pm
Lions
@
Colts
6pm
Patriots
@
Dolphins
6pm
Buccaneers
@
Giants
6pm
Chiefs
@
Panthers
6pm
Titans
@
Texans
6pm
Cowboys
@
Washington
9.05pm
Broncos
@
Raiders
9.25pm
49ers
@
Packers
9.25pm
Cardinals
@
Seahawks
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona14111242142834
2Atletico MadridAtletico148512181329
3Real Madrid1283125111427
4Villarreal127322319424
5GironaGirona146352018221
6Mallorca146351312121
7Osasuna136341720-321
8Athletic Bilbao135531913620
9Real BetisBetis145541616020
10Real Sociedad135351110118
11Celta Vigo145362224-218
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15Getafe142751011-113
16AlavesAlaves144191524-913
17Las PalmasLas Palmas143381825-712
18Valencia122461219-710
19Espanyol133191226-1410
20Real ValladolidValladolid142391027-179


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!