Sergio Ramos has returned to the fold for Real Madrid's trip to Athletic Bilbao this evening.

The skipper has missed Los Blancos' last three games due to a broken nose but is passed fit tonight as the side look to capitalise on Barcelona's slip-up earlier today, which saw the league leaders drop two points at home to Celta Vigo.

Keylor Navas is also back between the sticks after more than two months out, with deputy Kiko Casilla back in familiar territory on the bench.

Ramos replaces Jesus Vallejo at the heart of defence alongside Raphael Varane, with Dani Carvajal at right-back and Marcelo on the left as Zinedine Zidane makes three changes from the 3-2 league victory over Malaga last weekend.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema lead the attack with support from Isco, while Luka Modric is in for Lucas Vazquez alongside Toni Kroos and Casemiro.

As for the hosts, who are now without a win in five league games, under-pressure boss Cuco Ziganda makes two changes from the 2-2 draw at Deportivo La Coruna last weekend.

Aritz Aduriz continues to lead the line for Athletic, with support from Inaki Williams, the returning Raul Garcia and skipper Markel Susaeta in what is expected to be a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Mikel Rico and Ander Iturraspe play in a holding partnership, while Xabier Etxeita comes into the back four alongside Oscar de Marcos, Mikel Balenziaga and Unai Nunez as Eneko Boveda and Aymeric Laporte drop out.

Athletic Bilbao: Kepa; De Marcos, Etxeita, Nunez, Balenziaga; Iturraspe, Mikel Rico; Williams, Raul Garcia, Susaeta; Aduriz
Subs: Herrerin, Boveda, Mikel San Jose, Lekue, Merino, Aketxe, Cordoba

Real Madrid: Keylor Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Isco; Benzema, Ronaldo
Subs: Casilla, Ceballos, Nacho, Hernandez, Kovacic, Vazquez, Mayoral

Keep up with all of the action from San Mames this evening with Sports Mole's live text commentary here.

Written by
Neil Wilkes