Relegation-threatened Almeria face the toughest task of them all, playing host to red-hot Real Madrid, a team that won last 19 matches in all competitions.

Needless to say that los Blancos are hot favourites to claim maximum points and nobody will be surprised if they record a big win at Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos.

Almeria have been flirting with relegation from the very start to the season and with the team tied on points with all three sides currently sitting in the relegation zone, they will probably slip a couple of places this weekend.

Dismal home form is the main reason for club’s recent struggles, given that los Rojiblancos have failed to win any of seven home matches this season, taking mere three points in the process.

Oddly enough, managerless Almeria have shown a great deal of promise on the road, winning league fixtures against Real Sociedad and Deportivo La Coruna, while also defeating Real Betis in Copa del Rey.

However, going into the Real Madrid clash on the back of a 5-2 loss at Eibar, los Rojiblancos clearly have nothing to hope for.

The visitors will have midfielder Verza back to the side from suspension, meaning that whoever replaces Francisco Rodriguez in the dugout will have fully fit squad to choose from.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Ruben – Ximo, Velez, Trujillo, Mane – Wellington, Partey, Verza, Zongo – Hemed, Bifouma.

Even if this season did not have the best of starts for Real Madrid, it could easily prove to be one of the most successful yet, provided los Blancos can continue the rich vein of form.

The Santiago Bernabeu outfit have just finished the Champions League group stages with six wins out of six and they now aim to become the first team to win the title after achieving such a feat.

Meanwhile, they remain mere two and four points clear of title rivals Barcelona and Atletico respectively in the league standings, meaning they need to continue playing at a very high level.

Following the 4-0 hammering of Ludogorets in midweek, Real Madrid will be feeling confident ahead of the Almeria clash, where they are 2.25 (5/4) to win by three goals or more.

After bagging 23 goals in 13 league outings this season, Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo can be backed at 3.20 (11/5) to score two goals or more.

While Sergio Ramos misses out through suspension, Luka Modric and Sami Khedira remain on the sidelines, while several players will return after they were rested in midweek.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Casillas – Carvajal, Pepe, Varane, Marcelo – Bale, Isco, Kroos, Rodriguez – Benzema, Ronaldo.