Match Preview

Real Madrid return to play against Eibar at the Di Stefano on Saturday. This is the club’s first match in two weeks due to the international break and the last league match before Real face Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Real are on a two-match win streak and haven’t lost since the end of January. They are third in LaLiga being two points behind Barcelona and six points behind Atletico. The league title race is the tightest it’s been all season.

Eibar is having the complete opposite of a season. They are tied on points for last in the league and are in the relegation zone. They are only two points from escaping relegation, but they’re not currently in good company.

These two clubs met back in December where Real Madrid won 3-1 at the Ipurua.

Injuries/Suspensions

As most know, Sergio Ramos is back injured and will likely miss the Champions League matches against Liverpool due to a calf injury. Dani Carvajal, Eden Hazard and Fede Valverde remain out with injury as well. Toni Kroos and Alvaro Odriozola are back in the squad.

Eibar will likely be without the services of Yoshinori Muto, Roberto Correa, Pedro Bigas, and Jose Angel while Edu Exposito remains a doubt.

There are no suspensions for either club in the weekend’s match.

Potential XIs

Real Madrid

Courtois; Vazquez, Varane, Nacho, Mendy; Modric, Casemiro, Isco; Rodrygo, Vinicius, Benzema

With Odriozola just returning it’s likely that Lucas Vazquez gets the start at right back. Nacho will likely once again fill in for the missing Ramos.

Isco may get a start for Kroos who is also just returning from injury and who Zidane may want to keep fresh for the Liverpool first leg.

Eibar

Dmitrovic; Pozo, Oliveira, Arbilla, Rafa; Alvarez, Diop; Gil, Garcia, Rodrigues; Kike Garcia

Prediction

Real Madrid—Eibar 2-0

At this point in the season and the closeness of the title race, Eibar at home is a must-win for Real Madrid. They cannot afford to drop points against a club in the relegation zone even with key injuries still present.

This is a good chance for Real to get back some game time in before having a critical Champions League tie early next week. Having two weeks off, it’s important to stay fresh and get back into match form.

Real should be able to come out of this match as the victor and with three points in-hand to keep up with the other two top clubs in LaLiga. The title race will hopefully stay quite interesting heading into El Clasico next weekend.