Real Madrid's Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale put Espanyol to the sword

Karim Benzema will start up front for Real Madrid (Reuters)

Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema is the type of player who can excite any football fan, coach Santiago Solari said after the often-maligned Frenchman scored twice and inspired his side to a 4-2 win at Espanyol in La Liga on Sunday.

Benzema, who has been playing through the pain of a fractured finger sustained two weeks ago, got the third-placed visitors off to a dream start by pouncing on a rebound and opening the scoring in the fourth minute.

The forward then made it 3-1 to Madrid just before halftime with a magnificent strike, playing a one-two with Vinicius Jr and stroking the ball into the bottom corner, and he played a role in Gareth Bale scoring the European champions' fourth.

"He had a spectacular game, Madrid fans are enjoying watching him and so would any person who likes football," Solari said after a fifth win from six games in all competitions for his side, who are hitting form after a poor start to 2019.

"Karim is such a generous player, he makes his team mates better with his play and with his efforts."

Benzema, 31, is Real's leading scorer this term with 13 goals though he has not always enjoyed the devotion of the fans due to his inconsistent scoring record, having notched more than 20 in the league in only two of his 10 seasons with the club.

Yet with Madrid's all-time top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo now at Juventus, and the likes of Gareth Bale and Marco Asensio struggling for consistency and with injuries, Benzema has turned into of one of their most reliable players this year.

"Today he scored twice, but he always puts in complete performances," added Solari, after the win kept third-placed Madrid within five points of local rivals Atletico, although still 10 adrift of leaders Barcelona.

Winger Lucas Vazquez also heaped praise on Benzema.

"He is proving that he is the best number nine in the world," he said. "He is scoring goals, working hard and linking up with everyone. It's wonderful to be able to play with him."

Reuters

Preview

How to stream and watch on TV...

The match will be shown online on Eleven Sports 1 and STV Player.

Form guide...

Espanyol – LLDLL

Real Madrid – WDLWW

Odds...

Real Madrid 4/6

Espanyol 3/1

Draw 4/1

Prediction...

Espanyol 0-2 Real Madrid

[27 January 2019 17:05 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Girona 0-2 Barcelona

90+3 minutes

Brilliant work from Messi, who weaves his way past Girona's helpless defenders. He picks out Suarez but Bono is there again to save his shot.

[27 January 2019 17:06 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Full time: That's it! Barcelona go five points clear of Atletico Madrid at the top with a professional win over their Catalan rivals. It might have been different had Bernardo not seen red early in the second half, and Ter Stegen needed to be on form to keep a clean sheet. But goals from Semedo and Messi were enough for the Blaugrana.

[27 January 2019 17:11 · Callum Rice-Coates]

That's eight successive La Liga wins for Barcelona, who remain in a commanding position at the top. They're a huge 13 points clear of Real Madrid as things stand, too. Los Blancos, hopeful of closing the gap, are in action later on against Espanyol and we'll bring you live coverage of that one.

[27 January 2019 19:03 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Real Madrid travel to Espanyol this evening looking to return to third in La Liga -- after Sevilla's 5-0 win over Levante yesterday -- and close the already significant gap on leaders Barcelona to ten points.

Santiago Solari's side go into this game in decent form: they have won their last three league games and finally appear to be playing with some consistency. And they face an Espanyol side with four defeats from their last five. Real, then, will be the favourites, but an upset shouldn't be written off.

[27 January 2019 19:05 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Team News

[27 January 2019 19:11 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Gareth Bale makes a welcome return to the bench after injury for Real, while Marcelo drops out of the team. His replacement at left back, Sergio Reguilon, has been something of a good omen for Los Blancos this season:

[27 January 2019 19:37 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Youngster Vinicius Junior starts again tonight, and he is becoming an essential part of Solari's team. The 18-year-old has established himself as a key player over the last few weeks, taking the chance that presented itself following injuries to his attacking teammates. Expect him to be at the centre of things this evening.

[27 January 2019 19:44 · Callum Rice-Coates]

The teams are out at the RCDE Stadium. We're moments away from kick off.

[27 January 2019 19:46 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Real Madrid, playing in red tonight, get us underway.

[27 January 2019 19:48 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Espanyol 0-0 Real Madrid

3 minutes

Kroos drives forward into space and feeds Vinicius, who immediately makes his way towards goal. The teenager cuts inside and shoots, but his shot is straight at former Real goalkeeper Diego Lopez.