Cristiano Ronaldo is fit to return for Real Madrid as champions Atletico Madrid make the short trip across the capital.
Visiting Santiago Bernabeu is an unenviable task in itself, one made increasingly difficult for Atleti without the inspiring presence of master and mentor Diego Simeone on the touchline. While Carlo Ancelotti looks for balance within his side, the visitors look for leadership
Los Blanocos have to make do without in-form right-back Dani Carvajal, with the former Bayer Leverkusen loanee sidelined due to a hamstring injury, while Sami Khedira picked up a knee complaint while on international duty with Germany.
Ancelotti's only other major absentee is Jese, as Ronaldo had previously been rested with this game in mind. Despite failing to meet the fitness levels required to don the shirt of the Selecao during the last week, the Portuguese forward is back among the action tonight.
Iker Casillas retains his place in between the sticks with Keylor Navas continuing to warm the bench, while Sergio Ramos is retained in central defence and Alvaro Arbeloa comes in at right-back. Gareth Bale starts out wide after two excellent goals for Wales versus Andorra. New signing Chicharito is among the substitutes.
Atletico, meanwhile, are only sweating the fitness of Arda Turan, with the Turkish midfielder struggling to overcome a series of niggling injuries – who makes the bench. German Burgos is the assistant coach with rather large shoes to fill in the away side's technical area. Alessio Cerci, newly brought in from Torino, is included in the matchday squad.
Raul Jimenez, recently signed from Club America in Mexico, is given great responsibility with a start, partnering former Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandzukic in attack, while Guilherme Siqueira is again preferred to Cristian Ansaldi at left-back.
Ancelotti will persevere with the same system, but Atletico certainly have the tools required to frustrate a home side who are struggling to adjust to life without the presence of Xabi Alonso and Angel Di Maria in midfield. Summer signing James Rodriguez will have to stand up and be counted.
Real Madrid: Casillas; Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Coentrao; Kroos, Modric, James; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo
Atletico Madrid: Moya; Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Siqueira; Garcia, Gabi, Tiago, Koke; Jimenez, Mandzukic
Referee: Mateu Lahoz
