Asier Illarramendi and Isco will start alongside Xabi Alonso in Real Madrid’s midfield this evening against Almeria.
In Sami Khedira’s absence with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, Carlo Ancelotti has opted against playing Casemiro from the start, instead choosing Illarra to deputise for the German.
Luka Modric is also rested after action for Croatia over the past week, whilst Dani Carvajal plays at right-back and Alvaro Arbeloa deputises at left-back in Fabio Coentrao and Marcelo’s absence.
Karim Benzema starts in attack for a 200th occasion for Los Blancos.
Tonight’s hosts are Almeria, who are looking for a fourth consecutive win in La Liga and playing for a chance to move out of the relegation zone which they have just dropped into after Osasuna’s Friday night win at Real Valladolid.
Francisco Rodriguez welcomes back Verza from suspension, in place of Marcos Tebar, whilst Fernando Soriano is displaced by Helder Barbosa.
The remaining nine players started Almeria’s last match two weeks ago, the 1-0 win at Osasuna in Week 13.
Starting line-ups
Almeria: Esteban; Nelson, Torsiglieri, Pellerano, Trujillo, Dubarbier; Verza, Azeez, Aleix, Barbosa, Rodri
Real Madrid: Diego Lopez; Carvajal, Ramos, Pepe, Arbeloa; Xabi Alonso, Isco, Illarra; Bale, Benzema, Cristiano
