Match Preview

Real Madrid will return to action at the Bernabéu Sunday after playing the last three matches on the road across all competitions. The last LaLiga match was El Derbi, where Real defeated Atlético 3-1 at the Wanda Metropolitano. Real are on a five-match win streak in LaLiga currently.

Real played Girona twice towards the end of January already during the Copa del Rey, defeating them both times. Real also won over Girona in LaLiga in the first month of the season at the Montilivi.

With Atlético winning over Vallecano earlier on Saturday, Real are back in 3rd. With a win, however, they will be back in 2nd by a point lead. Not only do Real have this chance to jump back up in the standings with a win, they also have the chance to increase their win streak further yet.

Injuries/Suspensions

Real Madrid will still be without Isco and Marcos Llorente due to injury. Varane is back in the squad after recovering from his own brief knock, though he missed training on Friday.

Girona will remain without Mojica, Muniesa, Aday, Doumbia, and Roberts.

Luka Modric is serving a suspension for Real Madrid while Bernardo Espinosa will be serving suspension for Girona in Sunday’s clash.

Potential XIs

Real Madrid

Courtois; Odriozola, Nacho, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Casemiro, Ceballos; Vazquez, Asensio, Mariano

With Varane not training prior to the weekend, he may miss another match on Sunday. Though if Solari wants to give Ramos a rest, he may include Varane if he is truly ready.

Modric’s suspension will likely lead to Ceballos slotting in his place.

Solari may also give a rest to most if not all of the front three, specifically Benzema. Vinicius could use a rest as well in favor of Asensio getting a start. Bale might be the most likely to start because he hasn’t started much since returning from injury, but he could be rested for Vazquez.

Girona

Bono; Juanpe, Ramalho, Raul Garcia; Porro, Aleix Garcia, Granell, Pere Pons; Portu, Borja, Stuani

Prediction

Real Madrid-Girona 3-1

Real Madrid have won every match against Girona this season so far, no reason to doubt why they can’t continue this streak. If Solari goes the rest route for several players, this may be the only reason why they can’t get a win, but being at home should help.

A win is needed to get back ahead of Atlético and keep up with Barcelona in first, but many of the starters do need rest as well after how much they’ve played thus far. Real don’t play again until next Sunday, so this is a break in the hectic schedule they’ve had in February so far.

Real should be able to get the win over a 17th place Girona, who are just one point ahead of the final relegation spot held by Vallecano. It won’t be a cakewalk, especially with starters potentially resting, but they can still get it done with this squad they will likely have.