Real Madrid 3-1 Espanyol – Betting Review
Betting Analysis
Looking at the 1×2 market first. Real Madrid started asleep and fell behind on 8 minutes with a brilliant Espanyol finish on a swift break. However, once they hit their stride around the 20th minute, the result was inevitable. Madrid swiftly got level and then went ahead once raising the tempo. Even the favourites @ 1.27 backers would not have worried much.
Moving onto the Asian handicap betting for this contest. Madrid backers on the 1×2 didn’t worry much if at all, but the -1.75 backers definitely did!
Soon after going ahead, Espanyol missed a big chance for 0-2 and that would have been a big hole for Los Blancos to find a way out and still win by two goals.
As it was though, for some of the first and all the 2nd half it was poised at 2-1, making the handicap punters were made to sweat until added time, when Madrid backers got a half win @ 2.02.
Looking at The Under/Over goal betting last of all. Over 3 won @ 2.03 again, thanks to an added time goal. The Espanyol early goal assured this was going to at least push if not pay out.
Match Summary
With the three points in this comeback 3-1 win over Espanyol, Real Madrid closed the gap between them and Barcelona. However, unfortunately for Los Blancos, the leaders went on to snatch another 0-1 win in their respective game on Sunday.
Madrid did what they had to however in winning this match, but it wasn’t smooth sailing by any means initially.
Espanyol could have gone 0-2 up before the 15th minute but for Courtois making a big save. The visitor got the lead in the opening eight minutes with an outstanding Joselu left footed goal. His first time shot rifled into the top corner.
Not long after the huge chance on 15 mins for Vinícius Souza, but it was Madrid Vinícius that got the next goal. Vini Júnior cut inside and smashed a brilliant effort into the bottom corner, almost identical to his goal at Anfield.
Madrid’s leveller came with the run of play and they kept their feet on the gas, with Éder Militão one of three unmarked men to in a nice cross to head his team ahead not long before the break.
Rodrygo didn’t accomplish as much as he would like and was outlined in the preview. Without Benzema, Madrid played more as individuals than a team, especially in the first half. The Brazilian did smash a free kick onto the bar as Madrid sought a killer third goal.
Espanyol couldn’t work much to threaten a leveller and it was not a surprise as soon as they took risks, Madrid picked up apart on a counter for 3-1. Marco Asensio slotted home after being teed up by Dani Ceballos.
Despite winning, Real Madrid’s chance of the league grew further away based on Barcelona getting a win in such a tough venue, meaning they are running out of matches to catch up.
Espanyol meanwhile finished the match just two points clear of the drop zone.