Real Madrid make the short trip to Leganes on Sunday as they aim to close the gap on Barcelona at the summit of La Liga.

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.

Here is 90min’s guide to a local affair.

Leganes vs Real Madrid H2H Record (Last Five Games)

Current form (all competitions)

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.

Elsewhere, there are unlikely to be many alterations from the team that triumphed over Sevilla, with former Borussia Dortmund and West Ham United striker Sebastien Haller likely to start on the bench as he awaits his first Leganes goal.

Leganes predicted lineup vs Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Dmitrovic; Altimira, Gonzalez, Nastasic, Hernandez; Chicco, Cisse; Cruz, Brasanac, Munir; De la Fuente.

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.

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Leganes (4-3-3): Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy; Modric, Camavinga, Bellingham; Diaz, Mbappe, Vinicius.

Leganes will be buoyed by the length of Real Madrid’s injury list and will view the visitors’ right-hand side as an area where they can get some joy. The hosts are not prolific scorers but they have produced seven goals in their last three La Liga outings.

However, even with a mountain of absentees, Real Madrid still boast a frightening starting lineup. Vinicius is in impressive form, Kylian Mbappe is well rested and Bellingham has found some confidence after ending his scoring drought.

All those factors point to an away win as Ancelotti’s side look to make ground on Clasico foes Barcelona in the title race.

Prediction: Leganes 1-3 Real Madrid

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