Real Madrid will welcome newly promoted side CD Leganes as they look to preserve their unbeaten record in the League. Los Blancos currently lead the table but with the margin of error almost nil this time around, these are the matches where they cannot afford any slip-ups. After a string of draws, Madrid are on a winning streak of 3 matches but had an unexpected stumble in midweek when they were held to a 3-3 draw against Legia Warsaw. With Barca breathing down their neck and injury hitting them hard this season, things are certainly not the rosiest for Ronaldo and co.
Madrid will be wary of Leganes’ away form as the side has collected 9 points in 5 matches in comparison to a solitary point from 5 matches on their home turf. They are currently 16th in the table and will be playing without any pressure and the best way would be to express themselves and try to exploit the chinks in Real’s armour with Ramos and Pepe both injured.
Leganes suffered a 2-0 home defeat in their match day 10 showdown with Real Sociedad. The Pepineros have now failed to find the net in their last 2 league games, conceding 6 goals in those clashes. Things will be tough but they need to chalk out a plan to have any chance of causing one of the biggest upsets of the season so far.
TEAM NEWS
REAL MADRID
Big names like Sergio Ramos and Pepe will be missing while midfield enforcer Casemiro is still absent. Luka Modric is back in training but might not make the starting eleven. James Rodriguez is also back in training.
CD LEGANES
Mamadou Koné, Adrian Marin, Alberto Brignoli, Toni Dovale and Robert Ibañez are all absent. While the first two players are scheduled to come in a few days, the return date is unknown for the rest of them.
PREDICTED LINE-UPS
REAL MADRID (4-3-3)
Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Nacho, Marcelo; Kroos, Kovacic, Isco; Ronaldo, Morata, Bale
CD LEGANES (4-2-3-1)
Jon Ander Serantes; Rico, Insua, Medjani, Diaz; Perez, Timor; Szymanowski, Gabriel, Omar; Guerrero
KEY MEN
REAL MADRID
CRISTIANO RONALDO
Ronaldo’s form has been topsy-turvy this season and although he did score a hat-trick in the last league match, his link up play and overall contribution has been questionable this season. But as always he will be a goal threat whenever he plays and for Leganes to stop him, they have to be on top of their game.
CD LEGANES
ALEXANDER SZYMANOWSKI
Although CD Leganes haven’t scored in their last two matches they do possess a fair bit of attacking threat, especially in the form of Argentine winger Szymanowski. With Real having to field a depleted defence he will look to add to his tally of 3 goals and 1 assists.
