Real Madrid vs Eibar
LaLiga 2018-19
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu
Date: Saturday, April 6, 2019
Kick-off: 3:15pm GMT
Real Madrid will hope to get back to winning ways under Zinedine Zidane on Saturday afternoon when they host mid-table Eibar at the Santiago Bernabeu.
After winning the first two matches under their returning coach against struggling Celta Vigo and Huesca, Los Blancos were beaten 2-1 by in-form Valencia at Mestalla in midweek.
Such a loss left Real - who will end the season with no silverware having been eliminated from both the Champions League and Copa del Rey - third and 13 points adrift of LaLiga leaders Barcelona.
They are five behind Atletico, with the division's top two set to square off in Catalonia this weekend.
Jose Luis Mendilibar's Eibar currently sit 11th in the table after a 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano.
Real Madrid team news
Sergio Reguilon - seemingly an afterthought under Zidane - is likely to return to the hosts' starting XI with Marcelo suspended after his yellow card against Valencia.
Dani Carvajal completed most of a training session on Friday after a muscular injury, but it remains to be seen if he will be deemed ready to feature in any capacity against Eibar.
Marcos Llorente, Thibaut Courtois and Vinicius Junior are all sidelined, however.
Real Madrid XI: Navas, Odriozola, Varane, Ramos, Reguilon, Modric, Kroos, Bale, Isco, Asensio, Benzema
Score prediction: Real Madrid 2-0 Eibar
The last couple of performances have made it clear that big issues remain at Real despite Zidane's return and it may be difficult for him to keep the players sufficiently motivated between now and the end of the season with no trophies to compete for.
However, despite being pushed all the way by bottom-of-the-table Huesca in their last fixture at the Bernabeu, they should still have what it takes to secure victory over an Eibar team that are without an away triumph since October but did stun the same opposition 3-0 during the autumn.
A Real win coupled with a defeat for Atletico at Camp Nou would make the race for second spot very interesting indeed.
Real Madrid vs Eibar tickets
For ticket information, click here to head to Real Madrid's website.
Betting tips via Betfair | UK users only | Subject to change
Match odds
- Real Madrid to win: 2/7
- Draw: 5/1
- Eibar to win: 17/2
First goal scorer
- Gareth Bale: 11/4
- Karim Benzema: 11/4
- Mariano: 7/2
- Cristo Gonzalez: 9/2
Click here to find the latest match odds and place a bet.
TV channel and live stream online coverage
Due to the kick-off time, which falls during the Saturday football blackout, Real Madrid vs Eibar is not available to watch in the United Kingdom.
But you can follow all the action with Standard Sport's LIVE blog.
