Real Madrid are flying high after another marvelous Champions League performance on Wednesday where despite going a man down in the first half, they were still able to easily dispatch Galatasaray. Just like in that match, Los Blancos will again be without Cristiano Ronaldo but that shouldn’t cause them much trouble against relegation battlers Real Valladolid.
Real Madrid vs. Real Valladolid: Preview and TV schedule
The Merengues host Real Valladolid without Cristiano Ronaldo, but chances are it will hardly matter.
Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno
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Ángel Di Maria’s strong performance on Wednesday should give Ancelotti enough reason to give the Argentine winger a second straight start, though Karim Benzema will likely return up front at the top of the attack.
Head coach Juan Ignacio Martínez’s first season in charge at Valladolid has been a struggle as his side have only managed two wins from 14 matches. A trip into the lion’s den that is the Bernabéu is hardly the place for his team to turn things around though.
Valladolid’s last win against Madrid was in 2008.
Real Madrid injuries and suspensions
Out: Cristiano Ronaldo (hamstring), Sami Khedira (knee), Fabio Coentrao (thigh). In doubt: Raphaël Varane (knee)
Real Valladolid injuries and suspensions
Out: Patrick Ebert (suspended), Oscar Gonzalez (knee), Victor Perez (hamstring).
Valladolid will be missing their midfield playmaker Patrick Ebert who is serving a card related suspension. Cristiano Ronaldo is out again for Madrid as Carlo Ancelotti doesn't want to rush his star back to quickly. Defender Raphaël Varane is doubtful after he spent the week training away from the first team continuing to rehab his knee.
Projected lineups
Real Madrid: Diego Lopez,Álvaro Arbeloa, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Asier Illarramendi, Luka Modrić, Gareth Bale, Isco, Ángel di Maria, Karim Benzema.
Real Valladolid: Diego Mariño, Gilberto García, Marc Valiente, Jesús Rueda, Carlos Peña, Lluís Sastre, Álvaro Rubio, Daniel Larsson, Humberto Osorio, Zakarya Bergdich, Javi Guerra.
Match Date/Time: 8 p.m. local, 2 p.m. ET
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain
TV: beIN Sport, beIN Sport en Español (U.S.), Sky Sports 2 (U.K.), Canal+ Liga (Spain)
Online: beIN Sport Play (U.S.), Sky Go (U.K.), beIN Sport Play (Canada), Gol Stadium (Spain)
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