Olimpic de Xativa have made the trip to the Madrid for tonight’s Copa del Rey second leg tie looking to pull off an enormous upset by defeating Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
In the away leg two weeks ago Los Blancos were held to a 0-0 draw by the third division side, but should defeat the minnows comfortably to progress to the round of 16 to face Osasuna.
Olimpic de Xativa are currently ninth in Segunda Division B Group three. They had a poor start to the season, losing four of their first nine league games, but have recovered and have gone unbeaten in their last eight matches in the division, and have not conceded in their past nine in all competitions.
Carlo Ancelotti has told the press that Gareth Bale will not feature in the match due to a slight injury picked up in training, and is going to be replaced by Angel Di Maria.
The Italian would like the game secured early on, to prevent the chance of extra-time with an important fixture away to Valencia at the Mestalla on Sunday night and the team still five points behind Atletico Madrid and Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
Probable line-ups:
Real Madrid: Casillas; Arbeloa, Pepe, Nacho, Carvajal; Casemiro, Illaramendi; Di Maria, Isco, Jese; Morata.
Olimpic Xativa: Gonzalez; Belda, Alcazar, Sanchis, Peris, Palop; Mosquera, Marenya, Sanchez, Samu; Moya.