Eibar v Real Madrid - Preview and possible lineups
We take a look ahead to Saturday's early La Liga fixture between Real Madrid and Eibar at the Ipurua Municipal Stadium.
Eibar:
The home side will be missing Fabian Orellana (hamstring), Sergi Enrich (Meniscus tear), Ruben Pena (Muscle tear), Fran Rico and Vukasin Jovanovic (both knee) so will have to turn to Takashi Inui on the left wing and Papakouli Diop and Dani Garcia in midfield.
Real Madrid:
Expect to see a few changes in the side travelling to the Basque Country after their heorics against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday. According to reports in Spain, Toni Kroos and Isco will come into midfield, while Gareth Bale will be promoted from the bench.
Luka Modric is an outside bet to start as he continues to build his fitness back up following injury problems, and will most likely make a cameo as a substitute.
Eibar manager Jose Luis Mendilibar:
"We are not going to change our style of play. Their speed is dangerous, we know".
"Athlough they have a difficult time in the league, it's a team that likes to stay as high as possible".
He also emphasised the need to reach 54 points to be secured safety, stating they must "win five more matches".
Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane:
"We expect another difficult league match, at a difficult ground with a small pitch. It will be difficult to score points because they are having a very good season. We have to play a great game to win.
"There are moments in a season in which it is always difficult to keep your levels high. This league season has had ups and downs. When you see that you have a big gap from those at the top, it is tough for us mentally.
"My message to the squad is that we are not going to lower our arms."
Did you know?
Since their first meeting in 2014, Real Madrid have managed five wins from the past six with Eibar's only crowning achievement a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu in 2016.
Form:
Last time round:
'Los Blancos' comfortably came out on top in the first fixture in October thanks to an own goal by Paulo Oliveira (18') before Marco Asensio (28') and Marcelo (82') found the back of the net to win 3-0.
Possible line-ups:
Eibar: Dmitrovic; Pena, Ramis, Arbilla, Angel; Leon, Diop, Garcia, Inui; Charles, Garcia.
Real Madrid: Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Nacho, Theo Hernandez; Kroos, Casemiro, Isco; Bale, Ronaldo; Benzema.