Real Madrid take on Malaga this evening in an important game if Los Blancos are to maintain their title push.
Should Barcelona slip up at home to fourth-place Valencia, Carlo Ancelotti’s men could regain the lead at the top of the table, which is why, despite having one eye on the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Atletico de Madrid on Wednesday, the Italian will play his strongest team possible.
He could be without the services of Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale, who are both carrying knocks from Tuesday’s encounter with Diego Simeone’s side. That could mean a return to the starting line up for Isco against his old club. Javier Hernandez, who grabbed a goal last weekend for Real, could come into the side to replace the France forward too.
The visitors come into the game on a four-game winless run. They have not won in the league at the Santiago Bernabeu in their previous 13 attempts, drawing just two of those. The Andalucian side will be without Welington, who is suspended having picked up his 10th yellow card of the campaign last weekend against Atletico.
Probable starting line-ups:
Real Madrid: Casillas; Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo; Modric, Kroos, Isco; Ronaldo, Hernandez, Bale
Malaga: Kameni; Rosales, Sanchez, Miguel Torres, Boka; Darder, Recio; Samuel, Amrabat, Castillejo; Juanmi
