Carlo Ancelotti's side sit four points behind the Catalan club heading into this weekend's fixtures, but they face a side desperate for points to increase the distance between themselves and the relegation zone.

Real Madrid

Real Madrid needed two second-half goals to secure a 2-0 win over local rivals Rayo Vallecano, keeping them just behind Barcelona in the standings.

The win leaves them with three from their last four outings in Spain's top flight, and follows an emphatic 9-1 victory over Granada at the weekend, but with just eight matches remaining, they know that they cannot afford to lose further ground to Barcelona.

This match comes just a couple of days before the first leg of Real's Champions League quarter-final against current Spanish champions Atletico Madrid, who have already knocked the current European champions out of the Copa del Rey this season, so it is a busy week ahead for Ancelotti's men.

Scoring certainly has not been an issue for Real this season, as the team have averaged almost three goals per match in the league. They have scored 89 times so far, which is four more than Barcelona and over 30 more than third-placed Atletico.

This weekend's hosts have not been as strong at the back though, conceding more goals than Valencia, Villarreal, Atletico and the league leaders, with the last two having also kept more clean sheets.

The Bernabeu has been a fortress for Real so far this season, losing just once in their 14 home matches so far, while conceding just nine times, so Real will be confident of picking up a win again this weekend.

Recent form: LLWLWW
Recent form (all competitions): DLWLWW

Eibar

Eibar ended a three-month wait for a win earlier this week with a 1-0 victory over Malaga, boosting their chances of avoiding the drop after just a season in the top flight.

Mikel Arruabarrena's strike ended an 11-match run without a win in La Liga, lifting them up to 14th in the table, six points clear of the bottom three.

Since their promotion at the end of last season, Eibar have been defensively strong, letting in just 40 goals so far, leaving them above the likes of Granada and Real Sociedad in the defensive table.

However, this weekend's visitors have not been free scoring, although 28 goals in 30 matches make them the 12th most prolific side in front of goal in the league.

As the La Liga newcomers attempt to secure their place in the division for another season, this is likely to be the trickiest fixture left on their schedule, with matches against Sevilla and Valencia their only other remaining games against opponents in the top half of the table.

Despite still being involved in the relegation battle, Eibar have only been beaten by more than two goals twice in the league so far, suffering defeats to Barcelona and Real early in the campaign.

Recent form: LLLDLW

Team News

Cristiano Ronaldo for Real Madrid on February 7, 2015

Real will be missing several of their regular starters through suspension after picking up a string of bookings in their win over Vallecano earlier this week.

Top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo is likely to be suspended after picking up a fifth yellow card of the season for diving, although replays suggested that the Portuguese forward was fouled, so the club has appealed the ban in a bid to have Ronaldo available for the weekend.

Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez, who only returned from a two-month layoff with a broken foot last weekend, will also serve suspensions, so there will likely be at least three changes for the hosts.

There could be further alterations on the cards though as Ancelotti will surely have one eye on the Champions League clash with Atletico just three days later.

Pepe has not played since picking up a thigh strain during the El Clasico defeat to Barcelona last month, but the defender is now back in training, although Ancelotti is expected to save him for the trip to Vicente Calderon.

Meanwhile, Eibar have reported no new injuries following their win over Malaga, so should have a full squad available for the trip.

Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Casillas, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo, Carvajal, Isco, Modric, Illarramendi, Hernandez, Bale, Benzema

Eibar possible starting lineup:
Irureta, Boveda, Anibarro, Lillo, Didac, Capa, Arruabarrena, Borja, Garcia, Lara, Berjon

Head To Head

This will be just the second meeting between these two sides following Eibar's promotion to La Liga ahead of this season.

In the meeting at Ipurua earlier in the season, Real secured a 4-0 win over the top flight newcomers, with goals from James Rodriguez, Karim Benzema and a brace from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Therefore, this is the first time that the Basque side will go to the Bernabeu.

We say: Real Madrid 3-1 Eibar

Even if Ronaldo does not manage to successfully appeal against his suspension, Real will still have plenty of firepower up front, such as Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema. With some of the fringe players likely to feature, they will be keen to prove themselves and potentially earn a place in the Champions League lineup, so it is unlikely to be an easy match for the visitors.