Karim Benzema wins a corner for Real but goalscorer Raul De Tomas is back to knock it clear.

Adrian Embarba fouls Lucas Vazquez as the Real Madrid player gets back to prevent Espanyol launching an attack. The hosts look a real threat when they get going on the counter.

Eduardo Camavinga gets a yellow card for a strong challenge on Keidi Bare. Perhaps a bit of frustration there as Espanyol were knocking the ball around with confidence in midfield.

Not the start this man wanted after Tuesday's shock Champions League loss.

Image source, Getty Images

Raul De Tomas goes down in the Real penalty area following a free-kick under a challenge by Eder Militao but the referee ignores his claims.

Real continue to build pressure in the Espanyol half, but the hosts threaten on the counter once again. This match is now being played as if it's the 90th minute.

Karim Benzema's latest strike is straight at Diego Lopez from the edge of the box as Real Madrid chase a quick response.

Eder Militao attempts to catch Diego Lopez out from distance with a decent lob from distance - but his shot travels just over as Lopez scrambles to get back to reach it.

Luka Modric is robbed of possession and Espanyol threaten a counter-attack, but their progress is halted by a tactical foul in midfield.

Karim Benzema receives a back heel from Vinicius Junior and runs across the box, but his shot is deflected and rolls into the hands of Diego Lopez. That was a good chance for the Frenchman.

Adrian Embarba gets the first booking of the match for a poor challenge on Eduardo Camavinga.

Just before that, Embarba drew a good save from Thibaut Courtois from a tight angle.

Nacho drives forward from the back for Real as the visitors launch another attack, but Espanyol are - for the time being at least - doing a fairly good job at keeping their opponents away from goal.

The Espanyol fans are in fine voice, but it's Real Madrid dominating the ball and forcing the hosts back in the early stages.

David Alaba gets to the byline but his cross is blocked and Espanyol clear the resulting corner.

Karim Benzema gives chase as Espanyol try and play their way out from the back.

It almost backfires, as Real win possession but Benzema's shot is saved by Diego Lopez.

Plenty of strong tackles being put in early in a frantic start to this match. Real are trying to settle on the ball but Espanyol are working hard.

Right then. Real Madrid get us under way.

The stats suggest it could be a tough afternoon for Espanyol.

Espanyol have suffered 104 defeats in 172 meetings with Real Madrid in La Liga (Won 35, drawn 33).

That's the most of any side against a single opponent in the competition’s history.

Real have won 20 of their last 23 league games against Espanyol -scoring 61 goals and keeping 17 clean sheets.

Victory for Atletico Madrid over Barcelona yesterday saw Diego Simeone's side move level on points with Real at the top of La Liga.

Should Real slip up today, Real Sociedad would have the chance to take top spot when they face Getafe at 17:30 BST.

There are two changes for Espanyol following their 2-0 defeat by Sevilla last weekend.

Oscar Melendo and Oscar Gil replace Wu Lei and Fran Merida.

Espanyol XI: Lopez, Gil, Gomez, Cabrera, Pedrosa, Vidal, Melendo, Darder, Embarber, De Tomas.