Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Date: 17/01/2016
Kick-off: 3:00 PM GMT / 10:00 AM EST
Television coverage: NOW TV, Sky Sports 3/HD (UK), beIN Sports USA, beIN Sports en Español, beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A. (USA)
Online Streaming: fuboTV (USA), Sky Go (UK)
Goalkeeper
Keylor Navas did not have much to do during the encounter against Deportivo and the Costa Rican would have been pleased to earn his first clean sheet over a month.
Now with a clash against Sporting Gijon up next, Navas will be confident of keeping another shut out but the 29-year old will have to keep his concentration levels high throughout the clash in order to avoid any potential embarrassment.
Defence
Sergio Ramos was brought off at half time during the 5-0 victory over Deportivo La Coruna and it remains to be seen whether the Spaniard has recovered in time to be able to feature this weekend.
Zidane is unlikely to be taking a risk with the fitness of his star defender though, especially with a clash against struggling Sporting Gijon up next and as a result, Raphael Varane is likely to be partnering Pepe at the heart of the Madrid backline.
In the full back positions, there is no doubting the fact that the impressive duo of Marcelo and Dani Carvajal will be starting.
Midfield
Zidane unsurprisingly gave Isco a start in the clash against Depor and following his bright performance, the young Spaniard is expected to continue in the starting lineup ahead of James Rodriguez.
Luka Modric and Toni Kroos were solid as ever at the middle of the park last time out and Zidane will probably see no reason to change things around for this weekend as well. Casimero will be waiting in the wings though while Mateo Kovacic remains unavailable due to suspension.
Attack
Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema wreaked havoc on the Deportivo backline and they will look to do so once again against the shaky Sporting backline.
Cristiano Ronaldo did not enjoy the best of games last time out though and one can be sure that the Portuguese superstar will now be desperate to get himself back on the score sheet this weekend.
(4-3-1-2)
Real Madrid Probable Lineup: Navas; Marcelo, Pepe, Varane, Carvajal; Modric, Kroos, Isco; Bale, Ronaldo, Benzema
