Having already toppled the mighty Barcelona during his time in Spain, David Moyes will take his Real Sociedad side to the Bernabeu to face Real Madrid this weekend having served a two-game touchline ban.
It is a daunting task for the visitors, with Madrid leading the way in La Liga and having only been beaten once in front of their own fans all season.
However, the hosts will be without their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo as he begins a two-match ban for kicking out at Cordoba's Edimar during last weekend's 2-1 win at the Estadio Nuevo Arcangel.
Madrid were forced to wait until late to get that victory, with Gareth Bale stepping up in Ronaldo's absence with an 89th-minute penalty that completed the turnaround. courtesy of sportsmole.co.uk
Carlo Ancelotti will be hoping that the Welshman, who has received criticism for his performances and decision-making at times this season, is once again ready to fill the void left by the Portuguese striker this weekend.
Even without Ronaldo, Madrid have the firepower to cause any side in the world problems, and a fourth straight league victory would temporarily give them a four-point cushion over Barcelona with a game in hand over their closest rivals.
Only Atletico Madrid have prevented Real from winning at the Bernabeu this season, while they have won six home league games in a row, scoring 24 goals and conceding just three in the process. Indeed, you have to go back to September 2013 for the last time Real failed to score at home in the league.
With Karim Benzema having ended his longest goal drought of the season against Cordoba, he will lead the line once again this weekend, while Ronaldo's suspension could pave the way for Jese to make his first start since returning from a lengthy knee ligament injury.
Isco, Pepe and Luka Modric are all still doubts, however, which could mean that the likes of Sami Khedira and Raphael Varane keep their places in the starting XI.
Tag :
La Liga
