Real Madrid on brink of 35th league title
This afternoon Real Madrid have their first opportunity to be crowned LaLiga champions, and with five games to play the Whites need just one point to secure the title. Carlo Ancelotti’s side must avoid defeat against Espanyol to do so 4:15 pm CET.
The backing of the Santiago Bernabéu faithful will have a crucial role to play in the final stretch of the season and Real Madrid will be hoping the home fans can drive the team on to clinch a 35th league title and a place in the Champions League final four days later. The madridistas will look to Karim Benzema to continue his fine form – the Frenchman is top goal scorer in both competitions, with a total of 41 goals from 41 games.
Madrid’s impressive home record in the competition is a cause for optimism, with Ancelotti’s men only being defeated once on home soil from 16 LaLiga meetings. “We're very close to clinching the title and we want to do that as soon as possible”, the Italian said in the press conference before the clash, for which the coach has named his squad.
The opposition
Vicente Moreno’s men go into the weekend in thirteenth position, and they sit nine points above the relegation zone. Espanyol recently lost at home to Rayo Vallecano on the previous matchday. The Catalan side’s top goal scorer is Raúl de Tomás, with 15 goals in the competition. Real Madrid’s 35th league title is only one point away.