Fresh from winning the FIFA Club World Cup, Spanish champions Real Madrid will look to revive their title challenge on Wednesday night as they host struggling Elche at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid form guideCarlo Ancelotti’s team may be world club champions, but they have work to do to retain their domestic crown. Los Blancos now find themselves 11 points behind arch-rivals Barcelona in the race for the Spanish title.
The Catalan giants have played a game more, and this is Los Blancos’ game in hand and is must win if they are to have any chance of catching Xavi’s team.
Unfortunately for the champions, their form has been inconsistent of late in La Liga, as they head into this game on the back of just two wins in their previous five matches in the Spanish top flight. However, they are unbeaten in 13 home games in La Liga.
Elche form guidePablo Machin’s team sits bottom of the table, having collected just nine points from their opening 20 matches in the Spanish top flight.
However, there was a slight positive last time out, as Elche recorded their first league win of the season, beating Villarreal 3-1. Despite the loss, Elche are still 12 points from safety, and it will be tough for the visitors to escape the drop zone.
The visitors are winless in their last 12 away games in the Spanish top flight, a run that dates back to last season.
Team newsReal Madrid could be without Eden Hazard, Ferland Mendy, Thibaut Courtois and Lucas Vazquez through injury. Elche looks set to be without Pere Milla and Alex Collado due to injury.
What am I backing?It would take a brave person to back against a Real Madrid win, and I am not a brave person! I am backing Real Madrid to record a comfortable victory in this clash.