Real Madrid vs. Espanyol live score, updates, highlights & lineups from La Liga

One more point and Real Madrid will be kings of Spanish football once again. A draw on Saturday against Espanyol would be enough to mathematically secure their 35th title with four matches remaining. Los Merengues would return to the summit of Spanish football after last finishing top in 2020.

While looking forward to the festivities in front of their home crowd at the Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid are also looking ahead to Wednesday’s Champions League semifinal second leg against Manchester City. For that reason, several reserves will be counted upon to help bring the La Liga title home on Saturday with the likes of Karim Benzema and Vinicius Jr. rested.

As for Espanyol, they are nine points above the relegation zone with five matches to go and that cushion should be enough to ensure safety and a place in La Liga in 2022-23. A potential fourth loss in five games at Madrid would make for a nervy finish to the season for Espanyol, but head-to-head matches against Deportivo Alaves and Granada leaves destiny in their own hands.

What makes clinching the title particularly compelling for Real Madrid is the chance to take the field against intra-city archrivals Atletico Madrid on May 8 as champions, likely compelling Atletico to give them a guard of honor as is customary in Spanish football. 

Sporting News is following the match live and providing live score updates, commentary.

Real Madrid vs. Espanyol live score

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Real Madrid vs. Espanyol live updates, highlights from La Liga

60 mins from kickoff: Real Madrid fan Rafa Nadal shows up for the big occasions:

🚨| OFFICIAL: Rafa Nadal will do the honorary kick-off before Real Madrid’s match vs Espanyol. #rmalive ⚪️🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/lqkybIjVfD

— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) April 30, 2022

60 mins from kickoff: The La Liga trophy will be at the Bernabeu, ready to be awarded to Real Madrid:

🚨 BREAKING: Luis Rubiales will be at the Santiago Bernabéu today to deliver the trophy to Real Madrid IF they win/draw vs Espanyol. #rmlive 🏆 pic.twitter.com/eVhsl5HjPY

— Los Blancos Live (@LosBlancos_Live) April 30, 2022

Real Madrid vs Espanyol lineups

As expected, Carlo Ancelotti rings the changes with the Champions League second leg against Manchester City looming on Wednesday. David Alaba is out injured, and Eder Militao and Nacho are suspended, but a handful of starters are sprinkled into the lineup, including Casemiro playing at center back with Eduardo Camavinga marshaling the midfield.

Real Madrid lineup (4-3-3, left to right): 1-Courtois (GK) — 12-Marcelo, 5-Jesus Vallejo, 14-Casemiro, 17-Lucas Vazquez — 19-Dani Ceballos, 25-Eduardo Camavinga, 10-Luka Modric — 21-Rodrygo, 24-Mariano Diaz, 11-Marco Asensio

Real Madrid subs (10): 13-Lunin, 23-Mendy, 34-Gila, 2-Carvajal, 8-Kroos, 15-Valverde, 22-Isco, 20-Vinicius Jr., 9-Benzema, 45-Diego

Espanyol will be without Oscar Gil, Keidi Bare and Pedrosa, according to Spanish reports. Didac, Embarba and Morlanes, who were projected to be starters, will all start on the bench.

Espanyol lineup (4-4-2, right to left): 13-Diego Lopez (GK) — 22-Aleix Vidal, 24-Sergi Gomez, 5-Calero, 4-Cabrera — 19-Vilhena, 25-Yangel Herrera, 10-Darder, 14-Melendo — 9-Javi Puado, 11-Raul de Tomas

Espanyol subs (12): 1-Oier (GK), 34-Joan Garcia (GK), 2-Llambrich, 6-Morlanes, 7-Wu Lei, 8-Fran Merida, 15-David Lopez, 16-Loren, 17-Didac, 18-Dimata, 21-Nico M.R., 23-Embarba

What channel is Real Madrid vs Espanyol

UK: LaLiga TV will broadcast the match in the UK with the stream available on Amazon Prime (for subscribers).

USA: All La Liga matches in the USA are exclusively available in English and Spanish on ESPN+.

Canada: TSN has the rights to La Liga in Canada and will televise and stream the match.

Australia: beIN Sports broadcasts La Liga in Australia on TV and streaming.