Granada may be in for a shock today at the Santiago Bernabeu when they come up against a Real Madrid team that will be motivated knowing a win will take them top of the league.
Los Blancos will move above Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid for 24 hours at least, with the other two in action on Sunday. Although it may only be temporary, it would be a huge lift for the players, knowing they’d have turned around a five point deficit into a two point lead in just three weeks.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men come into the fixture in fine form having won six out of six so far in 2014, and conceding no goals along the way. Another clean sheet today would equal the club record seven shut-outs set in the 1994/95 season.
Granada have suffered heavy defeats on their last two visits to the Spanish capital, losing 5-1 and 3-0. With just 19 goals in 20 matches in La Liga so far, it is hard to see them getting out of today’s fixture despite the fact they have lost just three times away from home so far this campaign. Of the seven victories they have notched up in the league this season, four have come on their travels.
In terms of team news, Sami Khedira remains a long-term absentee. Other than that, Ancelotti has a full squad to pick from, but will likely stick with the side that beat Betis so convincingly.
Tiago Ilori, the central defender who signed on loan from Liverpool this week, could make his debut for Granada.
Probable line-ups:
