Sports Desk

It took champions Real Madrid time to click into gear this season but they visit Espanyol on Saturday in La Liga sitting top of the table.

The trip is their final league match before facing rivals Atletico Madrid, who trail Carlo Ancelotti's side by four points.

Kylian Mbappe is showing the form that made Madrid crave his arrival for years as Los Blancos swerve a potential crisis.

After a poor start to their Champions League campaign, the holders progressed to the knock-out round and wrapped up their group stage games with a 3-0 win at Brest on Wednesday.

Vinicius Junior was suspended, with Rodrygo Goes excelling in his position on the left flank and scoring twice to continue his own hot streak.

Mbappe's return to form has come at a time when Vinicius has also been missing, first through injury and then a ban in La Liga too after a red card against Valencia in January.

The Brazilian will be back for the trip to face Espanyol and forging a strong connection with Mbappe would help Madrid reach an even higher plane. "We look more solid and I have full confidence in this team because I like what I'm seeing out on the pitch," said Ancelotti, noting his team's improvement in recent weeks.

Mbappe has scored six goals in his last four games across all competitions, however Vinicius has only started one of those.

The Brazilian winger said earlier in January that he and his team-mates would work to help the former Paris Saint-Germain superstar find the net. "Kylian has come to help us, and we will help him finish as top scorer in every competition," explained Vinicius, showing his will to make the connection work.

Friday (all times GMT)

Leganes v Rayo Vallecano (2000)

Saturday

Getafe v Sevilla (1300), Villarreal v Valladolid (1515), Atletico Madrid v
Mallorca (1730), Espanyol v Real Madrid (2000)

Sunday

Barcelona v Alaves (1300), Valencia v Celta Vigo (1515), Osasuna v Real
Sociedad (1730), Real Betis v Athletic Bilbao (2000)

Monday

Girona v Las Palmas (2000)