Real Madrid visit Leganes in La Liga following the November international break.
Los Blancos have endured a difficult start to the 2024/25 campaign by their own admittedly sky-high standards but a 4-0 thrashing of Osasuna before the November international break provided respite after two successive defeats at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Vinicius Junior served up a hat-trick and Jude Bellingham finally scored for the defending Spanish and European champions.
Leganes, who were promoted back to La Liga last season for the first time since 2019/20, have made a positive start to their campaign and are searching for only their third-ever victory over Real Madrid.
Borja Jimenez’s men have won three of their last four outings and have proven a tricky team to conquer this season.
Leganes have several injury concerns ahead of Real Madrid’s visit, with Renato Tapia and Enric Franquesa both unavailable after picking up injuries in the most recent 1-0 win over Sevilla. Winger Daniel Raba is also a doubt having been missing since the victory over Celta Vigo in late October.
Real Madrid’s injury woes were exacerbated prior to the November international break as Eder Militao tore his ACL in the victory over Osasuna. The Brazilian, who suffered the same injury last season, will be missing for the remainder of the campaign.
Lucas Vazquez also suffered a muscle injury against Osasuna, leaving Carlo Ancelotti short at right-back with Dani Carvajal missing for the rest of the term. Federico Valverde may be drafted in as an emergency option this weekend.
David Alaba continues his recovery from an ACL problem and is unlikely to return this calendar year, while makeshift centre-back alternative Aurelien Tchouameni is also missing with an ankle problem. The fleet-footed Rodrygo joins the crowd on the sidelines after sustaining a muscle injury against Osasuna.
In more positive news, Thibaut Courtois could return between the sticks this weekend having been absent since the 5-2 Champions League win over Dortmund.
