With Portuguese international Cristiano Ronaldo expected to return from injury, Real Madrid fans will be hoping he can inspire a victory today against Valladolid.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men go into this La Liga fixture with a position in the Champions League knock-out stages secured after their 4-1 victory over Galatasaray midweek.
The hosts will be without both Sami Khedira (knee) and Fabio Coentrao (thigh) while Raphael Varane is a doubt.
Valladolid will be without star man Patrick Ebert, who scored three goals and assisted four so far this campaign, after picking up an accumulative match suspension.
Both Victor Perez and Oscar Gonzalez are notable absentees for coach Juan Ignacio Martinez to address but will be buoyed by the form of striker Javi Guerra.
The 30 year-old has scored seven times in 14 competitive outings this year and his confident Valladolid can trouble the capital side.
“We are going forward, wanting to do so well on a big stage,” Javi Guerra told the club’s official website.
“We are eager and motivated, we will play without fear and hopefully make Madrid uncomfortable.
“On paper, it is clear that they are superior, we know that it will be very difficult, but in football nothing is impossible.”
The visitors last beat Real Madrid in November 2008 and will surely be looking to play offensive football at the Santiago Bernabeu tonight.
Line Ups:Real Madrid: Diego López, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Benzema, Bale, Marcelo, Xabi Alonso, Carvajal, Modric, Di María y Isco
Valladolid: Mariño; Alcatraz, Rueda, Marc Valiente, Peña; Sastre, Álvaro Rubio, Rossi; Larsson, Bergdich y Javi Guerra
Follow Louis Gibberd-Thomas on Twitter: @mercutio156
