(Football news) Real Madrid are 9 points behind Barcelona and they have a chance to bring the gap down to 6. Real Madrid have to win the match to stay alive in the title race. The big issue for Real Madrid is that Karim Benzema has trained with the team only since picking up a knock against Liverpool. He should play the match but he might not be fully fit while David Alaba is likely to remain unavailable. Ferland Mendy returned to the squad against Liverpool but didn’t play a single minute. He is likely to come back in the squad in place of Nacho at left back.

It will be interesting to see what midfield Carlo Ancelotti picks. Eduardo Camavinga is undroppable at the moment and if Aurélien Tchouaméni is to come in, one of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric will have to miss out. The choice between Rodrygo and Fede Valverde on the right wing will be difficult to make but Rodrygo is usually better as an impact substitute. As for Barcelona, Ousmane Dembele and Pedri haven’t recovered in time. Ronald Araujo returns from suspension and he will be playing at right back to stop Vinicius Jr. 

Atletico Madrid will be hosting Valencia at the Wanda Metropolitano. With Real Madrid playing Barcelona, they could well cut down the gap to 5 points. Atletico Madrid will be without Sergio Reguilon and Reinildo who are injured. Morata could return to the starting XI having scored in the last 2 games after coming off the bench. As for Valencia Toni Lato, Gabriel Paulista, Marcos Andre, Edinson Cavani and Jaume Domenech are still out with their respective injuries.

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