Álvaro Arbeloa Faces 11-Point Gap Before Real Madrid Vs Espanyol

Real Madrid vs Espanyol arrives with the title race already tilted against Álvaro Arbeloa’s side. Real Madrid travel to Catalonia on Sunday night needing a win to keep their slim La Liga hopes alive, after one victory in six games in April left them 11 points behind Barcelona.

That margin leaves no room for another slip. Real Madrid have to win their remaining five games and still need a major Barcelona collapse, so the trip to RCDE Stadium is not just about three points — it is the last realistic way to keep pressure on the leaders before next weekend’s El Clásico.

RCDE Stadium Pressure

Espanyol bring their own target into the match. They are still fighting for European soccer next season, and a win on Sunday would put them firmly back in contention. Even after a dreadful 2026, the fixture gives them a chance to turn a difficult year into something more useful at home.

Real Madrid’s task is narrower. They come in after drawing 1-1 away at Real Betis last time out, and Barcelona added to that pressure by beating Osasuna on Saturday. That result means failure at Espanyol would send Hansi Flick’s side into next weekend’s El Clásico as back-to-back La Liga champions.

Barcelona’s Advantage Grows

The situation gives Sunday night a hard edge. A Madrid win would at least keep the chase alive and make El Clásico next weekend a must-watch match again, while anything less would leave Barcelona’s lead intact and shift the mood before the meeting at the Camp Nou.

Real Madrid have already paid for the April run that included one win in six games and an exit from the Champions League. Arbeloa’s side now need five straight league wins and help from elsewhere, and this one at RCDE Stadium is the first test that decides whether the title push survives another week.