Match Preview

Real Madrid will play once again at the Bernabéu on Wednesday after their loss on Sunday at home to Sociedad. This mid-week fixture is the first leg of this season’s Copa Del Rey with Leganes being their opponents for this round. Leganes also experienced a loss over the weekend, they have not won a match since December 4.

With recent disappointment looming over the club in LaLiga, perhaps they can find success in the Copa Del Rey matches. Despite Leganes’ form, which is quite similar to Sociedad’s, it will no easy task for Real on Wednesday with the performances they’ve been putting out. And it’s gotten even worse with the recent addition of Toni Kroos to the injury list for the next several weeks.

Nevertheless, Real have the opportunity to go up in the first leg at home. With a win, they can carry that into the second leg when they travel to the Butarque on the 16th. A positive result in this match can yield some momentum going into this weekend of LaLiga matches as well.

Injuries/Suspensions

As mentioned previously, Toni Kroos is the latest name on the injury list. He joins Asensio, Mariano, Bale, and Llorente who are also missing the next couple of weeks.

Leganes will remain without Szymanowski, Munoz, and Santos who are all dealing with long-term injuries.

There are no suspensions for this Copa Del Rey match on Wednesday.

Potential XIs

Real Madrid

Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Ceballos, Casemiro; Isco, Vinicius, Benzema

There’s several options that Solari can go with given that this is a midweek match for Real Madrid. There’s always the possibility of Navas starting, but little faith has been shown in him under Solari.

This could also be a match where the defense is tinkered with, which could see Odriozola, Vallejo, and/or Nacho featuring if Solari elects to go with them instead of the usual starters.

I foresee Modric starting, but Valverde could possibly be given a start by Solari. With Kroos now out, Ceballos (Isco even) could be given the start.

Vinicius definitely deserves another start after his performance against Sociedad over the weekend. It would be nice if his immense work effort pays off in goals should he receive another start.

Leganes

Cuellar; Nyom, Bustinza, Omeruo, Siovas, Silva; Arnaiz, Perez, Vesga; Carrillo, En-Nesyri

Prediction

Real Madrid-Leganes 2-1

Usually I go into these matches with some positiveness, though it has been made harder as every match goes by when Real’s puts up these disappointing performances. While this is a club that Real should beat, especially at home, betting favorites don’t seem to factor in anymore for Real Madrid this season.

It’s almost unpredictable now what to expect until Real hit the pitch on Wednesday. A win is obviously the goal for this match given the circumstances. Going on the road, which has been a nightmare for Real this season, for the second leg becomes a bit more bearable if they can travel with the lead next week.

This is also a bit of revenge for Real, who were eliminated on away goals in this same tournament last season by Leganes at the Bernabéu. Real need a win to at least have something positive to look towards going into the weekend. At this point, it’s just hoping for the best in these times of turmoil at Real Madrid.