Real Madrid will be bidding to return to winning ways in La Liga when they resume their campaign at home to Real Valladolid on Sunday afternoon.
Carlo Ancelotti's side fell 12 points behind division leaders Barcelona when they suffered a 2-1 loss in El Clasico before the international break, while Real Valladolid were beaten 3-1 by Athletic Bilbao last time out.
Match preview
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Real Madrid will need Barcelona to have a serious wobble to stand any chance of retaining the La Liga title this season, having fallen 12 points behind their rivals by losing El Clasico before the international break.
Los Blancos are also now just five points ahead of third-placed Atletico Madrid, but they are 11 points ahead of fifth-placed Real Betis, so it would not be a shock to see Ancelotti prioritise other competitions in the coming weeks, particularly the Champions League.
Real Madrid have work to do in their Copa del Rey semi-final, trailing 1-0 to Barcelona ahead of the second leg of their last-four contest next week, while they will face Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, with the capital giants looking to make it back-to-back European Cups.
Los Blancos have the second-best home record in La Liga this season, picking up 28 points from 12 matches, and they will be welcoming a Real Valladolid side with the fourth-worst away record in the division.
Real Madrid have won each of their last four league games against Real Valladolid, including a 2-0 victory in the reverse match earlier this season, and it would be a huge surprise if they dropped more league points this weekend.
The loss to Barcelona before the international break was hugely damaging to their title prospects, but Ancelotti's side will want to enter the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final off the back of a win here.
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Real Valladolid, meanwhile, suffered a 3-1 loss to Athletic before the international break, with the result leaving them in 16th position in the table, just two points clear of the relegation zone.
The White and Violets secured a return to Spain's top flight by finishing second in last season's Segunda Division, so their main focus this term is on avoiding relegation.
Pacheta's side are currently involved in a battle for survival at this stage of the campaign, and there are incredibly only three points between Almeria in 19th and Getafe in 13th.
Real Valladolid's home form is likely to be crucial when it comes to their bid to stay in the top flight, as they have managed six victories in front of their own supporters, in contrast to just two on their travels.
Pucelanos have only managed to win one of their last six league games, though, and the team could find themselves in the relegation zone heading into their next clash with Mallorca on April 9 if they lose at Bernabeu.
Team News
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Real Madrid will be without the services of Nacho, with the Spaniard suspended due to the yellow card that he picked up in the clash with Barcelona before the international break, while Ferland Mendy and Antonio Rudiger are on the sidelines through injury.
Thibaut Courtois is fit despite concerns over his fitness, while David Alaba featured for Austria over the international break, with the defender now back from a hamstring issue.
Eduardo Camavinga and Luka Modric could be rested ahead of the clash with Barcelona next week, with Aurelien Tchouameni and Dani Ceballos potentially earning starting roles in midfield.
Meanwhile, Federico Valverde could also be given a breather ahead of the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final, with Rodrygo potentially coming into the attack.
As for Real Valladolid, Anuar Tuhami, Selim Amallah, Darwin Machis, Kenedy and Jordi Masip will miss the contest through injury, while Javi Sanchez is suspended.
Javi Sanchez's absence, which is down to the yellow card that he picked up against Athletic, is likely to open the door for Luis Perez to come into the first XI.
Alvaro Aguado and Lucas Olaza could also start after being on the bench for the first whistle last time out, but Cyle Larin will again lead the Real Valladolid attack.
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Vazquez, Militao, Alaba, Carvajal; Kroos, Tchouameni, Ceballos; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius
Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:
Asenjo; Fresneda, Perez, El Yamiq, Olaza; Aguado, I Sanchez, Monchu; Plata, Larin, Plano
We say: Real Madrid 2-0 Real Valladolid
This might not be a straightforward match for Real Madrid, as Real Valladolid are battling for their lives towards the bottom of the division. Los Blancos will be determined to return to winning ways following El Clasico, though, and we are expecting the champions to navigate their way to all three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Matt Law
