Seeking to bounce back from their first La Liga defeat of the season, Real Madrid return to home comforts at the Santiago Bernabeu for Thursday's clash with Cadiz.
Los Blancos were put to the sword 3-2 by Rayo Vallecano on Monday night, while their visitors held Getafe to a 0-0 draw at the weekend.
Match preview
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Prior to Monday night's trip to Rayo Vallecano, a couple of draws were the only blots on the domestic notebook for an otherwise faultless Real Madrid, but their defence was carved open three times in a 3-2 loss as Barcelona fans watched on with glee.
Santi Comesana and Alvaro Garcia struck either side of Luka Modric and Eder Militao's responses in a frenetic first half, but in the 67th minute of the match, Oscar Trejo stepped up to convert from the penalty spot after Dani Carvajal had handled the ball.
Thibaut Courtois actually kept out the initial spot kick, but a retake was ordered after the Belgian was shown to have been off his line, and Los Blancos missed the chance to leapfrog Barcelona at the top of the table and will remain in second place for the time being.
Should Barcelona get the better of Osasuna on Tuesday, the gap between the two Clasico rivals will be extended to five points before Real return to action, and a record of just one win from their last four in all tournaments is not the sort of form that we have become accustomed to seeing from the European champions.
However, a return to the capital is just what the doctor ordered for Los Blancos, who are unbeaten at the Bernabeu in all competitions this season, but they have also conceded once in each of their last six home matches, and Cadiz will take any glimmer of hope that they can get this week.
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While there was very little goalmouth action in Cadiz's clash with Getafe over the weekend, the stories were written elsewhere. Three injuries, three red cards and over 100 minutes later, neither side could find the breakthrough at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez.
Gaston Alvarez and Portu both saw red for Getafe deep into second-half stoppage time before Cadiz's Luis Hernandez was also sent for an early bath, but that point could yet prove to be a pivotal one in the visitors' efforts to avoid demotion to the Segunda Division.
Having semi-recovered from their disastrous start to the campaign, Cadiz have only lost one of their last eight La Liga matches - winning two and drawing the other five - but they remain below the dotted line in 19th, with Celta Vigo and Sevilla only ahead on goal difference.
Depending on results elsewhere this week, Sergio's side could potentially lift themselves to safety with a shock win at the Bernabeu, and Real Madrid must certainly have their wits about them versus a side who defeated their local rivals Atletico Madrid only two weekends ago.
However, Cadiz's record of a paltry three goals away from home is the joint-fewest in the division alongside Almeria, but the visitors did impressively manage to hold Real Madrid to a pair of draws last season, and now may be the best time to try to replicate or better those eye-catching results.
Team News
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Concerns over Karim Benzema and Antonio Rudiger's fitness are still very much alive, with both men missing the loss to Rayo Vallecano through muscular fatigue and hip overload respectively.
The duo will miss out here too, but Benzema has still been named in the France squad for the 2022 World Cup.
Rodrygo will continue as the focal point of the attack with Benzema out, and Ancelotti has no fresh concerns from Monday's defeat, where Toni Kroos missed out due to suspension.
The German lynchpin will come straight back into the first XI here, which should allow Federico Valverde to move back to the right-wing spot as Marco Asensio drops out.
As for Cadiz, Hernandez is set to serve a one-game suspension after seeing red for two bookable offences in the draw with Getafe, so Iza Carcelen should be given the nod at right-back, but the club are appealing the decision.
A major defensive reshuffle will be required for Sergio, who lost both of his centre-backs - Victor Chust and Fali - to injuries last time out, with the former picking up an abdominal issue while Fali suffered from hamstring discomfort.
The pair join Joseba Zaldua, Momo Mbaye and Jon Ander Garrido in the treatment room, so Jose Mari could have to fill in as a makeshift centre-back alongside Juan Cala at the Bernabeu. Fali has been named in the squad, but whether he is fit to start remains to be seen.
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Modric, Tchouameni, Kroos; Valverde, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr
Cadiz possible starting lineup:
Ledesma; Carcelen, Cala, Mari, Espino; Ocampo, Emeterio, Fernandez, Bongonda; Sobrino, Lozano
We say: Real Madrid 3-0 Cadiz
Facing a Cadiz side with an extremely depleted defence should be the perfect tonic for Real Madrid after their first domestic defeat of the season, and no surprises should be sprung at the Bernabeu on Thursday.
Los Blancos have not been steadfast defensively at the Bernabeu, but Thursday's game should provide Ancelotti's side with a much-needed win and clean sheet, even if their visitors have demonstraded a more resilient streak of late.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Ben Knapton
