Eibar Vs Real Madrid Preview: Team News, Tactics, Lineups And Predictions

          SD Eibar Vs Real Madrid
              Municipal de Ipuru
  22nd November, 2014; 17:00 GMT

Sitting on the top of the Spanish La Liga, Cristiano Ronaldo led Real Madrid is 2 points above Messi’s Barcelona as the two clubs battle it out for Spanish supremacy. Last season’s champions Atletico Madrid on the other hand are on the 4th spot, 4 points below city rivals Real Madrid. Eibar Eibar have won only one of their last seven games and even though they play at home, they enter the game as the under-dogs. Having recently been promoted to the Premier League, Eibar will be looking to sit deep and try and neutralize Real Madrid’s much superior attacking power. They will be aware that they cannot open the game and play attacking football as the likes of Ronaldo, Bale and Rodriguez will tear the opposition apart with their swift attacking football. However at the same time Eibar cannot afford to show Real Madrid too much respect and striker Mikel Arruabarrena knows that. “We will try to make it difficult for Real Madrid. It will not be easy because Real Madrid is in a very good time. We are keen to arrive on Saturday, it will be a unique experience, Ipurua, with the field full and against one of the best teams in the world, which is in one of the best moments in recent years.” “If you went out with fear, bad start. Give respect, they are the best players in the world, but the fear must be left in the locker room.” Expected Starting Eleven: Irureta, Boveda, Albentosa, Navas, Lillo, Errasti, Garcia, Capa, Arruabarrena, Perez Saul, Javi Lara

 Real Madrid 

 On top of the La Liga, Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid has been on a good run this season despite their initial hiccups. Though Real lost two consecutive games against Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid, Ancelotti’s men have bounced back well and are on a goal-scoring rampage. Having scored 42 goals in just 11 games, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema are responsible for Real Madrid’s brilliant form. The trio are ably supported by Luka Modric and Toni Kroos in the midfield with Isco playing a helping hand.

However Modric’s thigh injury means that Real Madrid will be without their key midfielder for a few months to come, leaving Ancelotti scratching his head. The Italian has come to depend heavily on Modric who is the architect behind Real Madrid’s attacking unit. So with the Croatian out for a few months, Isco, Khedira and Illarramendi will be called upon to replace the midfielder. However out of the three, chances are that Isco will be given preference over the others and will partner Kroos in the midfield.

Ronaldo and Bale are expected to start on the flanks with Ronaldo and Rodriguez swapping position behind Benzema.

Expected Starting Eleven: Casillas; Ramos, Pepe, Carvajal, Marcelo; Kroos, Isco, Rodriguez, Bale, Ronaldo; Benzema

                                         Prediction

                                Eibar 1-4 Real Madrid