Feb 27, 2018 at 7pm UK at ​RCDE Stadium (Cornella de Llobregat)
Espanyol
1-0
Real Madrid
Moreno (90')
Caricol (81')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Bale (37')

Team News: Gareth Bale leads Real Madrid line at Espanyol, Cristiano Ronaldo misses out

Team News: Bale leads Madrid line at Espanyol
© Offside
Gareth Bale will lead Real Madrid's forward line against Espanyol in the absence of Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo, as boss Zinedine Zidane makes five changes.

Gareth Bale will lead Real Madrid's forward line against Espanyol in the absence of Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Los Blancos' famed 'BBC' forward trio all netted in the 4-0 win over Alaves at the weekend - the first time that has happened since April 2016.

Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has opted to rotate for the midweek trip to the RCDE Stadium, however, as Benzema drops down to the bench and Ronaldo misses out on the 18-man squad entirely.

With an eye on next week's crucial Champions League last-16 second-leg tie at Paris Saint-Germain, Zidane has instead turned to in-form attacker Marco Asensio to support Bale in one of five changes from last time out.

Captain Sergio Ramos returns from suspension and Marcos Llorente is also handed a rare start - his third of the season - taking over from the absent Casemiro, who is out with a stomach complaint.

As far as the home side are concerned, they will be led by top scorer Gerard Moreno, boasting 10 goals in 24 La Liga outings this term, while support will be offered by Pablo Piatti and Sergio Garcia.

Central midfield is comprised of Carlos Sanchez, Sergi Darder and David Lopez, meanwhile, as the Periquitos look to climb the table from their current position of 18th.

Espanyol: Diego Lopez; Navarro, Victor Sanchez, Duarte, Aaron; Darder, David Lopez, Carlos Sanchez; Piatti, Gerard, Sergio Garcia
Subs: Paul Lopez, Naldo, Jurado, Baptistao, Didac, Roca, Granero

Real Madrid: Navas; Achraf, Sergio Ramos, Varane, Nacho; Llorente, Kovacic; Lucas Vazquez, Isco, Asensio; Bale
Subs: Kiko Casilla, Carvajal, Theo, Dani Ceballos, Oscar, Borja Mayoral, Benzema

Follow all of the action as it unfolds in Catalonia with Sports Mole's live text coverage right here.

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Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring during the La Liga game between Getafe and Real Madrid on October 14, 2017
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona27216069125769
2Atletico MadridAtletico27178241122959
3Real Madrid27166565293654
4Valencia26155650302050
5Sevilla27143103640-445
6Villarreal2712693631542
7GironaGirona2711793836240
8EibarEibar27107103339-637
9Real Betis26114114350-737
10Getafe279993325836
11Celta Vigo26105114338535
12Leganes2797112328-534
13Athletic Bilbao2771192731-432
14Espanyol2771192433-932
15Real Sociedad2686124747030
16AlavesAlaves2692152237-1529
17Levante27313112241-1922
18Las PalmasLas Palmas2655161852-3420
19Deportivo La CorunaDeportivo2747162557-3219
20Malaga2734201643-2713
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