Arbeloa not using potential Clasico guard of honour as motivation for Madrid win

Real Madrid can stop Barcelona from winning LaLiga this weekend, but Alvaro Arbeloa claims the prospect of having to give their rivals a guard of honour next week is not motivating them, ahead of facing Espanyol.

If Barcelona beat Osasuna on Saturday, and Madrid lose to Espanyol on Sunday, the Blaugrana will be crowned champions this weekend, and as such, would receive a guard of honour from Los Blancos in next weekend's Clasico.

Madrid sit second in LaLiga, 11 points behind Barcelona, having lost ground on their rivals after winning just one of their last four league games (D2 L1).

But Arbeloa noted that expectations are already high at Madrid, and that the need for three points should be enough to spur them onto a win.

"It's not my biggest motivation," Arbeloa said when asked if he wanted to avoid giving Barca a guard of honour.

"My biggest motivation is winning the three points because that's what the team needs, because that's what this badge demands, and it's what we need after the results we haven't been able to get in recent matches.

"That's my biggest motivation. I can't find a greater motivation than beating Espanyol."

Espanyol sit 13th in LaLiga, five points clear of the relegation zone, though they are on a dire run of form, going without a win in their last 16 matches (D6 L10).

Their last victory came on December 22 against Athletic Club.

Following their 1-0 victory in this exact fixture last season, Manolo Gonzalez could become the ninth Espanyol manager to win consecutive home games against Real Madrid in LaLiga history.

However, Arbeloa is determined to avoid another disappointing result for Madrid as he urged them to regain their winning mentality.

"It's true that the results are far from what Real Madrid should be achieving," he added.

"These days, you can't beat anyone just by getting off the bus, but it's clear that the difference in level between Real Madrid's players and the teams we face is evident on paper.

"We have to improve a lot, as I always say, collectively. Right now, I don't think we're good enough, even with the talent we have, to just keep the ball on the ground and play individually.

"That, obviously, requires a mentality that's perhaps different from the one we've had, and we've paid the price in points."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Espanyol – Kike Garcia

Kike has scored four goals in 15 LaLiga appearances against Madrid, all for three different teams: two for Eibar, one for Osasuna, and one for Alaves.

No player in the 21st century has managed to score against Los Blancos with four different teams in the competition.

Real Madrid – Vinicius Junior

Vinicius has been involved in at least one goal in five of his last six LaLiga appearances against Espanyol (three goals and three assists).

He has also scored in his last two LaLiga matches for Madrid, getting their opener against Real Betis last time out.