Xabi Alonso couldn’t have asked for a better start to life back at Real Madrid. The former Los Blancos midfielder, who returned to the Santiago Bernabéu this summer after an impressive stint in charge of Bayer Leverkusen, has overseen a perfect start to La Liga. 

Madrid are unbeaten across their first four fixtures and now welcome fellow unbeaten side Espanyol to the capital on Saturday afternoon (15:15 BST). With both teams flying high in the Spanish top flight, this could prove to be Alonso’s toughest test yet. 

Team form

Madrid’s transition from Carlo Ancelotti to Alonso has been seamless thus far. The Spaniard has quickly implemented his style of play, and the results have spoken for themselves. Los Blancos have already dispatched Osasuna, Real Oviedo, Mallorca and Real Sociedad, leaving them two points clear of rivals Barcelona at the top of the table. 

However, Espanyol are emerging as early-season dark horses. Manolo González’s men beat Atlético Madrid 2-1 on the opening weekend before drawing 2-2 away to Real Sociedad. They have since built momentum with a 1-0 win over Osasuna and a dramatic 3-2 triumph against Mallorca, where Kike García’s late penalty secured the points despite Pere Milla’s earlier red card. Sitting third in the table, Los Periquitos travel to Madrid full of confidence. 

Head-to-head

The record books make for less encouraging reading for Espanyol supporters. Their 1-0 win back in February, courtesy of a late Carlos Romero strike, snapped a run of four straight defeats against Madrid. 

However, victories over Los Blancos are often few and far between, with just two wins in their last 10 meetings. Their away record is even more bleak. Espanyol haven’t won at the Bernabéu since 1996 and haven’t picked up a single point in the capital since 2012. 11 consecutive defeats away to Madrid further highlight the challenge González’s side face. 

Team news

Alonso is facing something of a defensive nightmare going into this weekend. Summer signing Dean Huijsen, who has received plenty of plaudits since arriving from Bournemouth, will serve a suspension following his red card against Real Sociedad last week. That leaves Madrid short at the back, with Antonio Rüdiger already sidelined for months due to a serious muscle injury. Endrick and Ferland Mendy are also unavailable.

For Espanyol, Javi Hernández remains out after undergoing foot surgery in July, while Pere Milla’s suspension is a huge blow given his three goals in four games. His absence will be a massive blow for the Catalan side, limiting their attack as they seek a rare win away to Madrid. 

Key stats

• Kylian Mbappé has been in electric form, scoring four goals and providing one assist in four games for Real Madrid.

• 20-year-old Arda Güler has made a bright start to the season, with two goals and an assist already to his name.

• Espanyol’s Pere Milla has scored three times in four matches but will miss out through suspension.

• Espanyol have lost their last 11 consecutive trips to the Bernabéu.

Prediction

Espanyol’s strong start to the season means they can’t be dismissed lightly, but history and form all point towards another Real Madrid win. Los Blancos have already gelled under Alonso, and Mbappe’s blistering form could give Espanyol nightmares. This is where the Catalan side’s impressive run may stall, as Los Blancos look to keep up the pace at the top of La Liga.