Cadiz vs. Real Madrid: Los Blancos News, Predicted Lineup, Live Stream, TV Info

James, James, James, James: For Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez, just one name is dominating his week, and it isn't likely to go away anytime soon.

Not after Sunday. 

In the hills of the Basque Country at the Ipurua Municipal Stadium, Benitez withdrew James Rodriguez early in the second half against Eibar, a move that in isolation might have gone unmentioned but as part of trend has the manager ducking questions everywhere he goes. 

Indeed, restricted playing time for the Colombian has become a recent theme. Last week against Shakhtar Donetsk he spent the game on the bench, against Barcelona he was withdrawn soon after half-time, against Sevilla he was a late substitute when the game was gone and against Paris Saint-Germain he warmed up along the sideline but never got the call. 

Suddenly, a peripheral story has become a central one. Benitez can't escape it and many are growing perplexed and frustrated over James' lack of involvement.

"I have every faith in James and he has my full support," said Benitez on Tuesday when pressed on the matter, "but I insist that this is Real Madrid, a team in which there is tough competition for places. That's all there is to it."

From Benitez, it was the sort of explanation to be expected, but it didn't exactly come across as a ringing endorsement either. "Another conflict to resolve," groaned Marca of the issue dominating the Spanish capital—an issue that's almost obscured the fact that there's still a game to play.   

Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images

On Wednesday, Real Madrid travel to the south coast in Andalusia to take on Cadiz in the first leg of their round-of-32 tie in the Copa del Rey. In most circumstances, this meeting would be a low-key affair, and in a sense it still is, but the James issue has added intrigue that would otherwise be absent.

Will he play? If so, where? And for how long?

Perhaps more importantly, will we see indications that he's prominent in the manager's plans?

Though the answers to the first three questions are probably straightforward—yes, in midfield, the bulk of the game—it's the latter that remains unclear. Stylistically, the Colombian doesn't strike you as an archetypal "Benitez" player, but regardless, he has a major chance to leave an impression upon his boss against Cadiz—particularly when you consider Madrid's squad. 

At the Estadio Ramon de Carranza, there'll be no Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Daniel Carvajal, Raphael Varane or Keylor Navas. 

Of what many consider Real Madrid's best XI, Rodriguez will be the only one on the pitch against Cadiz, leaving him as the leader and central focus. 

It might be just what he needs. 

Match Details

Date: Wednesday, December 2

Time: 9 p.m. GMT/4 p.m. EST/10 p.m. local

Venue: Estadio Ramon de Carranza, Cadiz

TV Info: beIN Sports (U.S.)

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

Form Lines

Cadiz	Real Madrid
W: 1-0 vs. Almeria B	W: 2-0 vs. Eibar
D: 1-1 vs. Sevilla B	W: 4-3 vs. Shakhtar Donetsk
W: 1-0 vs. Linense	L: 0-4 vs. Barcelona
D: 0-0 vs. Real Betis B	L: 2-3 vs. Sevilla
W: 1-0 vs. Linares Deportivo	W: 1-0 vs. Paris Saint-Germain
D: 1-1 vs. San Roque de Lepe	W: 3-1 vs. Las Palmas

Team News 

As mentioned, Real Madrid will be without nearly all of their stars on Wednesday in Andalusia, with many being given a rest alongside the small collection who remain injured.

The 17-man squad is as follows: Kiko Casilla, Ruben Yanez, Carlos Abad, Pepe, Nacho, Alvaro Arbeloa, Philipp Lienhart, Alvaro Tejero, James Rodriguez, Casemiro, Mateo Kovacic, Denis Cheryshev, Isco, Marcos Llorente, Jese, Lucas Vazquez and Borja Mayoral. 

In defence, Pepe and Nacho will likely form the central pairing once more, with Castilla left-back Tejero a good chance to earn a first-team start in the absence of both Marcelo and Danilo. 

In midfield, James will most likely lead a three-man group also featuring Casemiro and Kovacic, while a front three of Isco, Jese and Vazquez looks a good bet. 

Real Madrid's Predicted Lineup

B/R UK

In the Spotlight

That fella we mentioned at the top whose name starts with "J." 

Odds (via Odds Checker)

Cadiz: 10-1

Draw: 5-1

Real Madrid: 1-4