Match Preview

This will be the second match at the Butarque that Real Madrid and Leganes will feature in this season after meeting in the Copa del Rey back in January. That match was the second leg of the Round of 16 where Real lost 1-0, but were able to advance off of the 3 goal lead they earned at home before.

Real Madrid are still safely in third, with an 8 point lead still held over Getafe. Leganes are 13th, but tied with Eibar in points. Real are coming off of a win over Eibar and now look to come up with a win on the road.

Injuries/Suspensions

Real Madrid are still without Thibaut Courtois and Vinicius. Kroos, Sergio Ramos, Mariano, Brahim, and Reguilon are all out of the lineup on Monday as well.

Leganes are still dealing with two long-term injuries to Alexander Szymanowski and Ezequiel Munoz. They will also be without forward Youssef En-Nesyri and defender Kenneth Omeruo.

There are no suspensions for either side in Monday’s match.

Potential XIs

Real Madrid

Navas; Varane, Nacho, Marcelo; Modric, Isco, Casemiro; Bale, Asensio, Benzema

There’s a few no-brainers here given the names left off the squad list ahead of the match. One question is if Casemiro or Llorente get the start as both are fit.

Kroos’ spot is also a bit of a question, though Isco probably needs all the minutes he can get the rest of this season. Zidane may put Casemiro in the Kroos spot and put Isco between him and Modric higher up the pitch.

Leganes

Cuellar; Bustinza, Tarin, Siovas; Nyom, Arnaiz, Perez, Gumbau, Silva; Merino, Braithwaite

Prediction

Leganes-Real Madrid 1-2

Real lost one of three matches , the lone away match at the Butarque where they have the pleasure of playing on Monday. Granted, it was a 1-0 loss and they were already up 3 goals in the aggregate prior. They should be able to grab the win, but should is a carefully used word this season, especially on the road.

The season’s end gets closer with every match now, with just about a month left to play in total. There’s not much left to play for, though Real have not officially secured that Champions League spot yet. It’s around this time now to just watch, hopefully enjoyably, and see what bright spots the squad has and any standout options Zidane has going into the summer.