Real Madrid will be keen to post a win and keep up with archrivals Barcelona, when they host relegation battling Real Valladolid on Saturday.
Los Blancos are currently third in the league table, six points off leaders Barca and three behind derby rivals Atletico Madrid. Carlo Ancelotti's men have found some momentum after their 2-1 defeat in the El Clasico last month and are now on a four-match winning streak in the domestic circuit.
Real also followed up their 5-0 triumph over Almeria last week with a 4-1 win over Galatasaray 4-1 in the Champions League clash in midweek, despite the absence of red hot talisman Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, £85m summer signing Gareth Bale is starting to find his feet in Spain and the Welshman now has four goals and five assists to his name from eight La Liga appearances for the Meringues.
"The welcome has been spectacular. Everyone has really welcomed me and they have helped me to adapt very quickly and show my football on the pitch. I am very happy about everything; it has all turned out very well and I hope that everything will carry on like this," Bale pointed out.
"I want to carry on working hard, show what I can do on the pitch and score a lot of goals. I hope I can spend a lot of time with this team, win a lot of titles and show everyone that we are a great club that always plays to win," the former Tottenham Hotspur star added.
Valladolid, on the other hand, are above the drop zone only on goal difference and have not won any of their last four matches, which include defeats to fellow relegation battlers Almeria and Osasuna. However, striker Javi Guerra still fancies his club's chances against Real.
"Nothing is impossible in football and that's the mentality we'll take with us into the game. We know it's going to be very difficult but at the end of the day this is football, it's 11 against 11 and although of course Real Madrid are a better team than us, they will have to prove that on the pitch," Guerra stressed.
Team News
Real: Ronaldo (dead leg) has been ruled out, while Ancelotti will not be able to call upon Sami Khedira (knee) and Fabio Coentrao (thigh) as well. Raphael Varane (knee) is also unlikely to feature, though the Frenchman started training sessions after the Galatasaray tie.
Valladolid: Coach Juan Ignacio Martinez will be without talismanic winger Patrick Ebert, who is suspended, while midfielders Oscar Gonzalez and Victor Perez remain sidelined for this clash.
Where to Watch Live
The game is scheduled for a 12.30 am IST start on Sunday morning, with live coverage on Star Sports 4 and Star Sports HD2. You can also live stream the match online by clicking the official link HERE. To catch the action via live streaming in the U.S., click HERE. Viewers in North Africa and the Middle East can click HERE.
Expected lineups
Real: Diego Lopez; Carvajal, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Arbeloa; Alonso, Modric; Bale, Isco, Di Maria; Benzema
Valladolid: Marino; Garcia, Rueda, Valiente, Pena; Rubio, Sastre; Rama, Bergdich, Larsson; Guerra
Prediction: 3-1 to Real
