LA LIGA LIVE: REAL MADRID HOST ESPANYOL SEEKING TO CLOSE GAP AT THE TOP

Espanyol's last victory at the Santiago Bernabeu came in 1996, when they triumphed 2-1. Jordi Lardin scored both of the visitors' goals - the second an excellent volley - while you may also recognise a certain Mauricio Pochettino making his presence felt in the Espanyol backline.

Respective top scorers Benzema and Joselu have each netted 11 times in the league this season. Vinicius and Velverde are next for Madrid with seven goals apiece; Rodygo has four.

This is Real's first of three games in nine days, with matches against Liverpool and league-leading Barcelona still to come. It is easy for eyes to look ahead and Ancelotti has stressed the best Clasico prep would be a win today.

"We want to go into Sunday's game against Barcelona in the best possible frame of mind and that means defeating Espanyol and reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League," the Madrid boss said, before also endorsing Rodrygo as a centre-forward.

"He has to play where the team needs him. Sometimes it's better to use his skills on the outside and in other games he's better suited to playing between the lines, it depends on how we set up for the game. He can play in a lot of positions and we have to take advantage of his quality."

Real are without one superstar French striker today and are being linked with a summer move for another.

The aggregate score from Real Madrid's last seven home games against Espanyol is 20-0.

Ex-Madrid man Joselu leads the Espanyol line as expected, with former Barcelona player Martin Braithwaite joining him in the advanced areas. Manager Diego Martinez also makes three changes, with Ruben Sanchez, Leandro Cabrera and Jose Gragera coming into what is likely a compact side.

Espanyol: Pacheco, Gil, Cabrera, Montes, Gomez, Ruben, Souza, Gragera, Darder, Braithwaite, Joselu.

With no Benzema, Carlo Ancelotti opts not to select an out-and-out replacement. Expect Fede Valverde to return to an advanced role and extra pressure to fall on Vinicius and Rodrygo to provide a goal threat. Eduardo Camavinga is likely to continue at left-back as Ancelotti makes three changes in all.

Real Madrid: Courtois, Carvajal, Nacho, Militao, Camavinga, Tchouameni, Kroos, Modric, Valverde, Rodrygo, Vinicius.

Welcome along to LIVE coverage of Real Madrid versus Espanyol. Real can close the gap to Espanyol's crosstown rivals Barcelona to six points should they win, but have not been in the best form domestically and are without talisman Karim Benzema. Full team news is on the way next.