After the international break, Real Madrid returns home to face Leganes on Saturday, aiming to secure crucial La Liga points. Trailing Barcelona by three points, any slip-up could widen the gap. The team also needs to manage their energy, with a Copa del Rey match against Real Sociedad looming on Tuesday.
Despite the break, Real Madrid has been in the news, with rumors linking Liverpool`s Trent Alexander-Arnold and Brazil national team job to manager Carlo Ancelotti. While such speculation is common for a club of Real Madrid`s stature, maintaining focus on the upcoming match is paramount.
Leganes, currently in the relegation zone, is expected to be a straightforward victory for Real Madrid. However, if Real Madrid takes time to score, Leganes might gain confidence and potentially cause an upset.
Match Details
- Date: Saturday, March 29
- Location: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain
- Live stream: ESPN+
- Odds: Real Madrid -800; Draw +750; Leganes +1800
Previous Meeting
Real Madrid has won both previous encounters with Leganes, both held at Estadio Municipal de Butarque. Their most recent match in the Copa del Rey quarterfinal was a close contest. Despite Real Madrid taking a 2-0 lead, Leganes leveled the score, only for Real Madrid to secure a win with a late goal. Playing at Santiago Bernabeu might offer a different dynamic, but Leganes can draw confidence from their recent performance.
Real Madrid`s Perspective
Ancelotti has emphasized the importance of the La Liga race, stating that it is far from over. He highlighted the upcoming Clasico against Barcelona as potentially decisive, but stressed the need to win all remaining games, starting with Leganes.
Injury concerns for Real Madrid include Thibaut Courtois, Dani Ceballos, and Ferland Mendy, who are unavailable for this match. Ancelotti also addressed rumors about coaching the Brazilian national team, reiterating his commitment to Real Madrid and his current contract.
Projected Lineups
Real Madrid: Andriy Lunin, Francisco Garcia, Antonio Rugiger, Raul Asencio, Lucas Vazquez, Jude Bellingham, Aurelien Tchouameni, Fede Valverde, Rodrygo, Kylian Mbappe, Vini Jr.
Leganes: Marko Dmitrovic, Juan Cruz, Javier Hernandez, Matija Nastasic, Sergio Gonzalez, Valentin Rosier, Seydouba Cisse, Renato Tapia, Darko Brasanac, Diego Garcia, Daniel Raba
Key Player Spotlight
Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid: Mbappe has quickly become a central figure for Real Madrid, boasting 20 La Liga goals and 31 across all competitions. He maintains an impressive streak of seven consecutive seasons with 30+ goals. His ability to perform in tight spaces against Leganes` expected five-man defense will be crucial.
Key Storyline
Jude Bellingham`s Role: Bellingham`s role is evolving with Mbappe`s arrival. While he was crucial as a scoring midfielder last season, this season might require him to adapt and become more aggressive in the box, especially against defensively compact teams like Leganes.
Match Prediction
Real Madrid is predicted to start strong with an early goal from Mbappe. As Leganes opens up defensively, Real Madrid is expected to extend their lead. With a tight La Liga race, goal difference could be a deciding factor. Prediction: Real Madrid 4, Leganes 0
Dominic Ashworth