Real Madrid are bracing for a decisive week in La Liga, with a must-win clash at Espanyol on Saturday that could determine their title hopes. Currently trailing arch rivals Barcelona by 11 points, the pressure is mounting on Alvaro Arbeloa's side to close the gap before the season slips away.

The absence of star goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has been a major factor in Madrid's recent struggles. The Belgian international has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury during the warm-up ahead of Real Madrid's Champions League victory over Manchester City in March—a game he bravely played the first half of despite the issue. While backup Andriy Lunin has stepped up admirably, the club has felt the void left by their No. 1.

But there's light at the end of the tunnel. According to Diario AS, Courtois is expected to return for next weekend's blockbuster El Clasico showdown at the Spotify Camp Nou. The club is confident their star shot-stopper will receive the medical green light in time to face Barcelona, though Sunday's match against Espanyol comes too soon for his comeback.

Courtois has already begun partial training with the squad in recent days, with full group sessions expected to resume from the start of next week. If all goes according to plan, he'll be passed fit for the Clasico and immediately reclaim his starting spot—a huge boost for Madrid's chances in what could be a season-defining encounter.

For Courtois personally, the timing couldn't be better. Returning with several weeks left in the season gives him valuable time to regain match sharpness ahead of this summer's World Cup in North America. Real Madrid, meanwhile, are eager to have their defensive anchor back, even if they wish it had happened sooner—when the La Liga title was still a realistic target.