Real under strength

Real Madrid will be under strength when they take on Espanyol at the Bernabeu on Sunday as Vicente Del Bosque deals with injuries and suspension.

Defender Roberto Carlos misses the game through sanction after receiving a yellow card last weekend at Celta Vigo. His place at left-back will be filled by Argentinian, Santiago Solari.

Strikers Raul and Guti both finished Wednesday's Champions League tie in Munich with mild injuries. Raul could be rested until he has recovered from his leg injury while Guti is nursing a blow to the instep of his left foot and is due to undergo further tests at the club's clinic on Friday.

Better news is that Fernando Morientes is expected to come back into the side against Paco Flores' Perequito's on Sunday.

Espanyol are confident that their star striker Raul Tamudo will have shaken off his back problems to be fit for the game.

Real Madrid need just seven points from the next five games to be crowned Spanish champions at the end of the season.