Match Preview

Real Madrid are back in action midweek as they prepare to take on Cádiz at the Estadio Ramon de Carranza.

Real are coming off a 0-0 draw against Getafe over the weekend. Los Blancos are now back in second trailing three points behind Atletico and two points leading Barcelona who hold a match in-hand.

Cádiz are among the bottom half of the table sitting in 13th currently. They have dropped points in three of their last five matches, but were on a two-match win streak in that stretch. When these two clubs last met back in October, Cádiz were able to get a 1-0 upset at the Di Stefano.

Real will be getting some players back for this match, but there’s still injury issues that are afflicting the depth of the squad.

Injuries/Suspensions

Real Madrid are getting some defensive players back in Dani Carvajal and Raphael Varane. Casemiro and Nacho also return after serving suspension against Getafe. However, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric will both miss this midweek match. Fede Valverde, Eden Hazard, Ferland Mendy, Sergio Ramos and Lucas Vazquez remain out as well.

Cádiz will likely be without Alberto Perea, Luismi Quezada. Alex Fernandez and Juan Cala are doubts as well.

Potential XIs

Cádiz

Ledesma; Iza, Fali, Mauro, Espino; Salvi, Jønsson, Jose Mari, Malbasic; Sobrino, Negredo

Real Madrid

Courtois; Nacho, Varane, Militao, Marcelo; Rodrygo, Casemiro, Isco; Asensio, Vinicius, Benzema

Even with Carvajal back, Zidane could still take it slow with him and not start him right away. This could mean Nacho starts instead of Alvaro Odriozola since he had been playing well before serving suspension.

Given the lack of depth and experience in the midfield we could see Rodrygo drop deeper and play a midfield-type role. Antonio Blanco is an option as well to make his first LaLiga start.

Karim Benzema should be back in the starting squad after getting some rest against Getafe over the weekend.

Prediction

Cádiz—Real Madrid 0-2

This should be a match Real Madrid is able to take three points from on the road in Andalusia. Even with the lack of midfield depth, Real is stronger on the defensive side of the ball than they were against Getafe.

Real must make up for the home loss earlier in the season to Cádiz. Los Blancos cannot afford to drop points in a draw or loss with Atletico and Barcelona right in the heart of the battle for the league title. This is the part of the season where every point counts.

This is a chance for Real to show their strength against adversity and pull a win on the road with many starters still missing. Its a big week as they have another match against Real Betis this weekend.