Real Madrid vs. Malaga: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream and TV Info

Real Madrid will welcome Malaga to the Bernabeu on Saturday in what is a critical weekend for the title race in La Liga. 

Indeed, prior to Los Blancos' meeting with the Andalusians, Barcelona face Valencia in a heavyweight clash at the Camp Nou. If the Blaugrana drop points to Los Che, a Real Madrid victory would take Carlo Ancelotti's European champions back to the top of the table. 

Thus, despite this game being sandwiched between two arduous tussles with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, it's likely we'll see Ancelotti use one of his strongest lineups and resist the temptation to heavily rotate. 

However, the hosts will be without striker Karim Benzema against Malaga after the Frenchman left Friday's training session with a knee problem, per The Guardian. 

Benzema's absence will likely see Ancelotti revert to a 4-4-2, with Isco coming into the lineup to form a four-man midfield alongside Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and James Rodriguez. 

Another possible change could see Alvaro Arbeloa used at right-back to give some rest to Daniel Carvajal—a move we've often seen from Ancelotti in league games at home this season. 

Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press

Malaga, meanwhile, come into Saturday's clash fresh from pushing Atletico Madrid all the way at the Rosaleda last weekend.

Having gone behind after a dreadful error from goalkeeper Carlos Kameni, Javi Gracia's men fought their way to a 2-1 lead only to see a contentious second goal from Antoine Griezmann deny them all three points.

It was a tough blow for Malaga, who, despite getting the better of Atleti for large periods, saw their difficult run extend to just one win from their last six. 

Oddly, though, Los Boquerones are still in the hunt for European places, given that Villarreal continue to endure a very similar run and remain just five points ahead in sixth after a draw with Getafe. 

In team news, Gracia might only make one change to the lineup that fought so hard against Atletico, with centre-back Weligton suspended after collecting his 10th yellow card of the season last weekend. Either Marcos Angeleri or Miguel Torres will replace the Brazilian. 

Date: Saturday, April 18

Time: 7 p.m. BST / 2 p.m. EDT / 8 p.m. local

Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

TV Info: Sky Sports (UK), beIN Sports (U.S.)

Live Stream: Sky Go (UK), beIN Sports CONNECT (U.S.)

Form Lines

Real Madrid	Malaga
D: 0-0 vs. Atletico Madrid	D: 2-2 vs. Atletico Madrid
W: 3-0 vs. Eibar	L: 0-1 vs. Eibar
W: 2-0 vs. Rayo Vallecano	D: 1-1 vs. Real Sociedad
W: 9-1 vs. Granada	L: 0-1 vs. Rayo Vallecano
L: 1-2 vs. Barcelona	W: 2-0 vs. Cordoba
W: 2-0 vs. Levante	L: 0-1 vs. Granada

Predicted Formations

Bleacher Report

Players to Watch

It's been a bit of a thud back to earth for Isco in recent weeks, with the Spaniard watching his playing time decline amid the return of Rodriguez. 

But the injury to Benzema opens the door for Isco once more, with Ancelotti likely to use Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale up front against Malaga and deploy the darling of the Bernabeu on the left side of the midfield. 

Could a standout performance from Isco force him into consideration for a starting berth for the second meeting with Atletico Madrid next week?

Daniel Tejedor/Associated Press

For Malaga, Nordin Amrabat is one of Gracia's men capable of causing headaches for Real Madrid.

Though he's been used as a secondary forward for most of the season, the Morocco international was deployed in more of a No. 10 role against Atletico last weekend and carved out a delightful—if somewhat fortuitous—pass for Samuel's second-half goal.  

Against a Real Madrid side that can often leave significant space between the midfield and the back four, Amrabat's dribbling skills and knack for operating between the lines will be important in the visitors' hopes to take points away from the Bernabeu. 

Odds (via Odds Shark)

Real Madrid: 1/12

Draw: 34/5

Malaga: 31/2