Espanyol vs. Real Madrid: Complete Preview, Start Time, Live Stream and Schedule

Real Madrid will attempt to work its way back toward the top of the table with a road La Liga contest against mid-table squad Espanyol.

Los Blancos picked up a convincing 6-2 win over Rayo Vallecano to right the ship after a draw with Racing Santander and a loss to Levante. The good news for Real Madrid is that Barcelona hasn't got off to a great start either, so they are just one point behind the defending champions.

Espanyol have yet to record a draw through five games with two wins and three losses. That puts the Periquitos in 10th place, but the team's defensive style of play can cause problems for opposing teams that get a little overzealous on the attack.

Where: Estadi Cornella-El Prat in Catalonia, Spain

When: Sunday, Oct. 2 at 2:45 p.m. EDT

Watch: GolTV (USA), Sky Sports HD 1 (UK)

Live Stream: ESPN3 (where available)

Odds (via Bodog)

Real Madrid -350

Espanyol +900

Draw +400

Real Madrid Injuries

Pepe (questionable), Fabio Coentrao (questionable) and Ricardo Carvalho (probable)

Espanyol Injuries

Juan Albin (out), Felipe Mattioni (out) and Jordi Amat (probable)

Biggest Storyline: Will Real Madrid Regain Elite Form?

Real Madrid hasn't started the season the way most supporters envisioned. A few disappointing results have led to the term crisis being thrown around at Santiago Bernabeu. As always, a few wins will do wonders in ending all the unnecessary drama.

The win against Rayo Vallecano was a good start toward reasserting Los Blancos' league dominance. Matching that result next weekend against Espanyol would be another step in the right direction and would put the rest of the La Liga teams on notice that Real Madrid is back in form.

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored seven goals in five league games, so he hasn't been the problem. It's been the supporting cast that hasn't given him enough support so far. The talent is there, so the results will eventually be there too, it will just take longer than the fans were hoping for.

What They're Saying

Manager Jose Mourinho discussed the team's recent form and he admitted there is some concern, but he believes the team will be fine is the long run (via ESPNsoccernet).

"

"We're not having the best of runs at the moment, but we've got time to change it. We are a united group of players who must all row in the same direction," he told the club's official website.

"Our matches against Racing and Levante were different, but both opponents did well and we didn't. We found it hard to create chances to score. Football isn't science. Sometimes you're fitter than others. We mustn't lose faith - this is a long-distance run and there is still a lot to be played."

"

Player To Watch for Real Madrid: Cristiano Ronaldo

If you are tuning in to watch a Real Madrid match, there's a good chance you will see Ronaldo score a goal. He's been scoring at a goal-per-game pace for the last couple seasons and is doing so again during the current campaign.

His touch in front of goal is unmatched and forcing opposing goalkeepers to have nightmares due to some of the incredible angles he has scored from in the past. Simply put, he's one of the most dynamic strikers on the planet.

Stopping him is always priority No. 1 for the opponents, but they still rarely manage to keep him off the score sheet. He scored one goal and added two assists against Espanyol and is coming off a hat trick against Rayo Vallecano.

Player To Watch for Espanyol: Sergio Garcia

Not to be confused with the golfer who never lived up to his potential in major championship, this Sergio Garcia is having a resurgence in the season's early stages. He has two goals in five games after scoring just three in 21 games last season.

The Periquitos will need him to maintain his current form if they are going to have any chance of stealing a point on Sunday. They are averaging just one goal per match through five games and need somebody to step up alongside Garcia to create offense.

While Walter Pandiani could be that guy if he can develop a little more consistency in his game, he's reaching the end of his rope at age 35. It's going to be an uphill battle for Espanyol to get one past Iker Casillas.

Prediction: Real Madrid 2 Espanyol 0