Real Madrid will be looking to move to the top of the La Liga table when they resume their campaign away to Real Valladolid on Friday night.
Los Blancos are currently second in the division, two points behind the leaders Barcelona, while Real Valladolid occupy 12th position, having picked up 17 points from their opening 14 matches of the season.
Match preview
© Reuters
Real Valladolid secured a return to La Liga by finishing second in the Segunda Division last season, and there have been plenty of positives in the opening months of the 2022-23 campaign.
Indeed, a record of five wins, two draws and seven defeats from 14 matches has brought them 17 points, which is enough for 12th position in the table, just two points behind 10th-placed Valencia.
The White and Violets are six points clear of the relegation zone, while they will enter this match off the back of a win, having beaten Arenas Getxo 5-1 in the Copa del Rey on December 21.
Real Valladolid were last in league action on November 8, suffering a 3-0 loss to Athletic Bilbao, but they have won three of their last five in Spain's top flight, with the three successes coming at home.
Pacheta's side have picked up 13 points from their seven home fixtures this season, and their form in front of their own fans is likely to be crucial this term when it comes to potentially avoiding relegation.
Both of their league meetings with Real Madrid during the 2020-21 campaign were close affairs, with Real Valladolid only losing 1-0 home and away to the capital giants.
© Reuters
Real Madrid, meanwhile, were last in competitive action on November 10, recording a 2-1 victory over Cadiz at Bernabeu, with Eder Militao and Toni Kroos on the scoresheet.
The result left Carlo Ancelotti's side in second spot in the table, two points behind leaders Barcelona, who will take on Espanyol in the Barcelona derby on Saturday afternoon.
As a result, a win for Real Madrid on Friday would, temporarily at least, move them to the top of the table, and it does appear that it will be a fascinating race for the title during the 2022-23 campaign.
Ancelotti's team have won 11, drawn two and lost one of their 14 league games this season to collect 35 points, and they could be forgiven for thinking that it would be enough to top the division at this stage.
Los Blancos will be in Copa del Rey action against Cacereno on January 3, while they will take on Valencia in the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup on January 10, with the winner facing either Real Betis or Barcelona in the final of the competition.
Real Madrid are also looking to defend their Champions League title this season, with the team set to take on Liverpool in the last-16 stage of the European Cup.
Team News
© Reuters
Real Valladolid will be without the services of Jawad El Yamiq, who picked up a hamstring problem while representing Morocco at the 2022 World Cup.
Kenedy is also a doubt with a groin problem, but the home side are otherwise in good shape heading into the encounter with the Spanish and European champions.
Shon Weissman is expected to lead the line for Real Valladolid, with Roque Mesa and Ivan Sanchez potentially featuring in the wide positions.
Meanwhile, there should be another start for 18-year-old Ivan Fresneda, who is currently being linked with a move away from the club due to his impressive form.
As for Real Madrid, Luka Modric, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga are all expected to be on the bench, as they have had minimum preparation following their involvement in the World Cup.
Mariano Diaz is out with an ankle problem, but Karim Benzema is fit, and the Frenchman could be joined by Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior in the final third of the field.
The potential midfield absences could open the door for Dani Ceballos to start alongside Kroos and Federico Valverde, while Antonio Rudiger could be the player to miss out at the back, with Militao set to line up alongside David Alaba in the middle, leaving Ferland Mendy and Dani Carvajal in the full-back positions.
Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:
Masip; Fresneda, Fernandez, J Sanchez, Escudero; Perez, Aguado; I Sanchez, Plano, Mesa; Weissman
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Valverde, Ceballos, Kroos; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius
We say: Real Valladolid 1-2 Real Madrid
This has the potential to be a very tricky match for Real Madrid, and it is difficult to know what to expect from Ancelotti's side in their first match after the World Cup. Los Blancos will know that they cannot afford to let Barcelona pull clear, though, and we are expecting the visitors to navigate their way to a vital win here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Matt Law
