Preview: Elche vs. Real Madrid

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti takes his side to play Elche on Sunday with his squad having recovered from their 4-0 defeat at rivals Atletico Madrid.

The humbling loss to last year's La Liga winners could have derailed Real's excellent campaign, but successive wins and clean sheets against Deportivo la Coruna and Schalke 04 have helped steady the ship at the Bernabeu.

Ancelotti will also be encouraged after seeing Cristiano Ronaldo net his first goal since January 18, but the Portuguese attacker has still only scored in four of his last 11 matches in all competitions.

Midfielder Lucas Silva could remain in the side after making his first start for the club, with changes likely to be kept to a minimum as Fabio Coentrao, Sami Khedira, James Rodriguez, Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric are all sidelined through injury.

Elche have spent the majority of the La Liga campaign in the bottom three but four wins from six games have sparked an incredible turnaround at Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero.

Thirteen points from seven games have helped the Franjiverdes move four points clear of the relegation zone, a record made all the more impressive after they suffered a 6-0 home defeat to Barcelona during the middle of their current run.

That setback could have demoralised an improving team, but aside from that loss, Elche have been superb in defence, conceding just once in their other four outings.

An injury doubt remains over David Lomban, but if the defender is declared fit, manager Fran Escriba is likely to name the same team that defeated Eibar on Monday night.

Elche:

Form in La Liga: WWLLWW Form in all competitions: LWLLWW

Possible starting lineup: Tyton, Lomban, Suarez, Edu Albacar, Roco, Aaron Niguez, Adrian, Fajr, Pasalic, Jonathas, Victor Rodriguez

Real Madrid:

Form in La Liga: WWWWLW Form in all competitions: WWWLWW

Possible starting lineup: Casillas; Carvajal, Pepe, Varane, Marcelo; Silva, Kroos, Isco; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo

Sports Mole says: 0-4