Real Madrid will look to continue their excellent run in La Liga, hoping to take La Liga’s lead if Barcelona drop points against Celta de Vigo.
Los Blancos will seek their seventh straight win in the competition as they face Granada. The Andalusians are struggling in this first phase of the season, and even earning a point against Real would be an unexpected success for them.
Carlo Ancelotti will miss Gareth Bale one more time, so Isco will have another chance to show his great state of form. Fabio Coentrao and Jese Rodriguez will also remain on the sidelines. Pepe and Luka Modric are a doubt due to muscle problems.
Raphael Varane, who scored a brace last Wednesday against Cornella, could make it in the starting eleven, sending Pepe to the bench.
Asier Illarramendi or Sami Khedira could also come in to give Modric or Toni Kroos some rest. Meanwhile, Iker Casillas will return to the line-up after Keylor Navas got his chance in the Copa del Rey.
Isaac Success and John Cordoba will lead Granada’s attack, since captain Piti has been left out of the squad by manager Joaquin Caparros.
The home side are having serious problems in attack, but they are strong in defence and will surely fight hard to get a clean sheet against Los Merengues.
Possible line-ups:
Granada: Roberto; Nyom, Babin, Murillo, Foulquier; Sissoko, Rico, Iturra, Rochina; Success, Cordoba.
Real Madrid: Casillas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; James Rodriguez, Modric, Kroos, Isco; Benzema, Ronaldo.
