Real Madrid vs. Almeria: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream and TV Info
Real Madrid will look to once again close Barcelona's lead at the top of La Liga on Wednesday, with Sergi Barjuan hoping to maintain his positive start to life at the helm of Almeria.
The ex-Barca defender has led Almeria to two wins in his first four games in charge of the club but stealing a result at the Bernabeu in midweek will be a tremendous task for the Catalonia native.
Real can move back to within two points of the league leaders after Luis Enrique's men got the better of Getafe on Tuesday evening, opening up a five-point cushion at the summit, even if only temporarily.
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Read on for a full preview ahead of Los Blancos' midweek examination, complete with latest team news, form guide, match odds and discussion of which players in particular to keep an eye on.
Date: Wednesday, April 29
Time: 7 p.m. BST/2 p.m. ET
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK), beIN Sports Connect (US)
TV Info: Sky Sports 5 (UK), beIN Sports 2 (US)
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
| W 2-4 vs. Celta Vigo (A) | W 2-0 vs. Eibar (H) |
| W 1-0 vs. Atletico Madrid (H) | L 2-0 vs. Rayo Vallecano (A) |
| W 3-1 vs. Malaga (H) | W 3-0 vs. Granada (H) |
| D 0-0 vs. Atletico Madrid (A) | L 4-0 vs. Barcelona (A) |
| W 3-0 vs. Eibar (H) | L 1-4 vs. Levante (H) |
Team News
Gareth Bale is still making his way back from a calf injury and is hoping to be back in Carlo Ancelotti's squad for Saturday's trip to Sevilla, but he will play no part in Wednesday's outing against Almeria.
Per Spanish newspaper AS, the Welshman is raring to get back into Real's lineup but a return against Almeria would be premature:
The biggest changes for Ancelotti come in defence, however, with Alvaro Arbeloa and Pepe likely to replace Dani Carvajal and Sergio Ramos, respectively.
Carvajal and Ramos earned their respective 10th and fifth yellow cards of the season in Sunday's 4-2 win over Celta Vigo and are suspended as a result, according to Spanish daily Sport:
Another big change likely to occur within Real's ranks will see Iker Casillas drop out of the starting XI as Keylor Navas prepares to make just his fifth appearance of the league campaign:
It's possible Ancelotti will hand Toni Kroos a rest building up to this weekend's clash in Seville and with Luke Modric still sidelined, one of Lucas Silva, Isco or Sami Khedira could partner Asier Illarramendi in central midfield.
Meanwhile, Javier Hernandez looks set to retain his spot up front having bagged a brace in the win over Celta, with Ancelotti quoted by the Daily Mail's Rajvir Rai as saying the striker can't be dropped at present:
"He's enjoying the period that he's in, it's a really good one. The whole team worked well. If Chicharito is in this form he's non-negotiable, like Cristiano [Ronaldo], [Karim] Benzema, James [Rodriguez], [Gareth] Bale, [Sergio] Ramos, Isco, [Raphael] Varane, Pepe… I have a team of non-negotiables, but only eleven can play and the rest stay on the bench.
"
Almeria are pleased to welcome back left-back Sebastian Dubarbier after he served a one-match suspension in the 2-0 win against Eibar, and he should replace Jose Manuel Casado in Barjuan's back four.
However, the visitors' attack will be altered with Thievy Bifouma and Wellington Silva poised to serve one-match suspensions. ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan highlighted their cautions against Eibar:
Predicted Formations
Real Madrid (4-4-1-1)
Keylor Navas; Alvaro Arbeloa, Raphael Varane, Pepe, Marcelo; Asier Illarramendi, Lucas Silva, Isco, James Rodriguez; Cristiano Ronaldo; Javier Hernandez
Almeria (4-5-1)
Ruben; Ximo Navarro, Sebastian Dubarbier, Angel Trujillo, Mauro dos Santos; Thomas Partey, Corona, Verza, Edgar, Jonathan; Tommer Hemed
| Real Madrid Win | 1-20 |
| Draw | 12-1 |
| Almeria Win | 33-1 |
| Both Teams to Score | 13-10 |
Player to Watch
Although it was Chicharito who stole the headlines against Celta Vigo on Sunday, James Rodriguez was arguably Real's most instrumental player in executing a fine victory for Los Merengues.
The absences of Bale and Modric may stunt Real's creativity in parts, but with Rodriguez in his current vein of form, Real can rest easy knowing they have one particular dynamo among their ranks.
Dubarbier's return does give Almeria some added comfort in dealing with that threat and the Argentinian has the benefit of an extra week's rest after serving a suspension.
That being said, Rodriguez scored one and assisted another on Sunday to display what a terror he can be for opposition defences and will look to take a leading role in guiding his side past another obstacle.
Key Battle
Javier Hernandez vs. Angel Trujillo
Keeping Benzema on the bench has been no small feat for Hernandez, who finally looks to be finding his feet as more than simply a bit-part player at the Bernabeu.
Wednesday will provide the Mexico international with another chance to show why he deserves a permanent switch to Madrid, with El Confidencial (h/t Metro) outlining Real have only until Thursday to decide whether to invest:
Almeria totem Angel Trujillo has played more minutes than any other in his squad, missing just one of his side's 33 league outings this season, and he shoulders a large responsibility in quelling Hernandez's influence.
Should Ronaldo start, he'll of course be another worry for the centre-back, but taking out the foundation of Hernandez up top will be a priority for Trujillo if Real are to be quietened on home turf.
