Real Madrid face 2017 Copa Libertadores winners Gremio in the FIFA Club World Cup on Saturday but will be keeping a keen eye on developments in La Liga from Abu Dhabi. Los Blancos kick-off at 17:00 GMT and will already know the result of one of the teams near to them in the table.
Sevilla are at home to out-of-form Levante this evening and are widely expected to pick up a win. Should that be the case, they will move level on points with Real Madrid but will remain in fifth place due to Real’s superior goal difference.
Second-placed Valencia kick off their match away to Eibar half an hour after Real Madrid get underway in UAE. Los Ches have been something of a surprise package this season but are not overly convincing on the road. Real Madrid will be hoping for a favour from plucky Eibar.
City rivals Atletico Madrid are third as things stand, with a two point advantage over Real Madrid. They have an easy looking home match against Deportivo Alaves. Although it would be a shock if they came up short, it is worth noting that Alaves are on a three-game winning streak.
La Liga leaders Barcelona don’t play until Sunday night. They are currently eight points ahead of Real Madrid and will be looking to extend that lead with a victory over Deportivo la Coruna at Camp Nou.
It looks like a straightforward match for Barca but Deportivo have taken a point in two of their last three visits to Catalonia. Further encouragement can be taken from Deportivo’s 2-1 victory at the Riazor when the clubs last met, so Real Madrid will be watching with interest.
Real Madrid will have a game in hand when they return to La Liga action against Barcelona on December 23rd. Madridistas will be hoping that their side go into El Clasico as Club World Cup winners and that Barcelona have not moved any further ahead.
