Real Madrid vs. Espanyol: Why Cristiano Ronaldo Will Dominate

Real Madrid are off to a solid start in La Liga play in the 2011-2012 season, as they have 10 points through the first five matches of league play. The big reason why: the significant amount of offensive success coming from world superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

After five league matches, Ronaldo has scored a whopping seven goals, proving his worth as one of the premier scorers in all of soccer.

In their sixth match, Ronaldo and his Real Madrid team go up against Espanyol, which is a team that historically have had minimal success against them. In 34 meetings between the two teams, Espanyol have just seven wins, four draws and 23 losses.

Previous meetings between the two squads certainly favor Real Madrid.

Aside from what history tells us, Espanyol, more than anything, will have to plan to slow down the great Ronaldo. Through the first five games this season, it is evident he will be getting his fair share of goals, as his production has been as good as it gets. His seven goals is the second-highest of any player in La Liga, with Barcelona's Lionel Messi netting eight.

In the two meetings with Espanyol last season, Ronaldo recorded one goal, two assists and 14 shots, five of which were shots on goal. He has had much success against Espanyol and will likely have his way with them in their first matchup of this season. Last season Real Madrid won both games against them, winning 1-0 in the first match and 4-0 in the second.

Three of Ronaldo's seven goals have come on the road, yet all three were in the first match of the season against Real Zaragoza. Ronaldo knows he must pick up his play on the road, as this match against Espanyol might just be game where his production away from home begins to pick up.

As Madrid will be without Pepe and Fabio Coentrao in the back, it will put that much more pressure on Ronaldo to score goals and keep the team ahead early. Not to mention pressure may well be added, as according to Goal.com there is a strong possibility Karim Benzema will not play as he will "face a late fitness test following a groin injury."

Look for Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain to both have big-time performances if Real Madrid can get the win away against Espanyol, as the two will have the most pressure to net goals early in this match.