Real Madrid will try to keep their title hopes alive in La Liga as they host Almeria on Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabeu following Barcelona’s 6-0 win against Getafe.
Chicharito Hernandez will have another chance to prove he can stay at the club this summer, as Carlo Ancelotti will not recover Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema on time, although both are expected to feature against Sevilla this weekend since they are both nearing the end of their recovery process.
Thus, Champions League hero Chicharito will feature again, trying to extend his good scoring form. The Mexico international scored a brace to lead Real in a tough comeback against Celta Vigo on Sunday.
Sergio Ramos and Daniel Carvajal will miss the game through suspension, as they managed to be shown their fifth yellow card against Celta in order to rest ahead of the important Sevilla game.
Alvaro Arbeloa will consequently feature at right-back, with Pepe and Raphael Varane in the centre of defence. Marcelo will most likely start at left back, although Carlo Ancelotti could decide to rest him as well.
The Italian has already announced Keylor Navas will have one more chance to show his quality as he will be the starting goalkeeper. The only doubt is whether Ancelotti will pick Asier Illarramendi or Lucas Silva to pair with Toni Kroos in midfield.
Almeria are fighting to avoid relegation and will have important losses. Forwards Thievy and Wellington Silva are out due to suspension, while Fran Velez, Michel Macedo and Soriano are sidelined due to injury.
Possible line-ups:
Real Madrid: Navas; Arbeloa, Pepe, Varane, Marcelo; James Rodriguez, Illarramendi, Kroos, Isco; Chicharito, Ronaldo.
Almeria: Ruben; Navarro, Trujillo, Dos Santos, Dubarbier; Espinosa, Thomas, Corona, Verza, Zongo; Hemed.
