Espanyol (0 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw) welcomes Real Madrid (2-0-0) to Cornellà-El Prat Sunday. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. ET. Below, we preview the Espanyol vs. Real Madrid odds and lines, and make our best La Liga bets, picks and predictions.
Real Madrid, despite having transferred M Casemiro to Manchester United, are still the favorites. They are led by superstar F Karim Benzema who led the team in goals last season.
He has played all 180 minutes for the club so far this season. Benzema is one of 6 players who have scored as Real has outscored opponents 6-3. Real beat Alermia 2-1 and Celta Vigo 4-1.
Espanyol drew Celta Vigo 2-2 and then lost to Rayo Vallecano 2-0. They are led by 32-year-old F Joselu, who has played all 180 minutes and scored 1 of Espanyol’s 2 goals.
Last season, it was Espanyol’s ability to score that led to a 14th-place finish in the league. They scored just over a goal per game and allowed 1.39 per game.
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Espanyol vs. Real Madrid odds, lines, picks and predictions
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:51 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Espanyol +550 (bet $100 to win $550) | Real Madrid -220 (bet $220 to win $100) | Draw +380
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -165 | U: +130)
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Prediction
Real Madrid 3, Espanyol 1
Money line (ML)
PASS.
I’m not about to suggest Real Madrid at -220, but I actually think they’re light years better than most other teams. Even on the road, I would at least consider it at this value.
A parlay with the over and money line isn’t a typical suggestion, but it would come out to +133, so it at least makes both sides better priced.
Over/Under (O/U)
BET ALTERNATE OVER 3.5 (+150).
Espanyol has had at least 1 expected goal in both games this season and has seen 1 of their 2 matches top this total.
As for Real, they have the league’s most lethal attack with one of the quickest wings in the world in F Federico Valverde. His pace coupled with Benzema’s world-class finishing should be virtually unstoppable against a defense that’s allowed 2 goals per game.
Real is averaging 3 goals per game and has topped even the alternate total in 1 of their 2 matches. Given the talent on display, I’ll take the Over 3.5 (+150) here.
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