Relegation-threatened Malaga play host to La Liga leaders Real Madrid in what should be a cracking encounter at La Rosaleda.

And while the hosts hope to continue the good run having beaten Osasuna on the road last time out, los Blancos aim to preserve their three-point cushion at the league summit.

This was always going to be a very difficult season for Malaga after the club had no choice but to let some star players leave due to dismal financial situation.

Led by experienced boss Bernd Schuster, los Boquerones have battled bravely throughout the season, but the poor run of results in the New Year saw them slip into the danger zone.

The team could only win one of first nine matches in 2014, and they desperately needed a morale-boosting triumph to kick-start their season.

The win was achieved at just the right time and against perfect opposition, with Malaga defeating relegation rivals Osasuna on the road last weekend.

As a result, los Boquerones now sit three points above the bottom three, and they are 4.00 (3/1) not to lose against mighty Real Madrid.

Bernd Schuster will have to make do without Jesus Gamez and Sergi Darder, missing through suspension, while Mounir El Hamdaoui and Weligton are out injured.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Caballero – Sanchez, Angeleri, Flavio, Antunes – Camacho, Tissone – Samu, Duda, Amrabat – Santa Cruz.

Real Madrid enter the business end of the season in great position seeing as how los Blancos are still in the race for three major trophies.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side are set to face arch rivals Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final, whereas their La Decima dream is still alive with the team having all but secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Real Madrid have also seriously improved their position in La Liga, having created a three-point cushion at the top thanks to the run of 14 wins and 3 draws in last 17 fixtures.

Following the 3-0 triumph over Levante last weekend, los Blancos arrive at La Rosaleda in great spirits and no wonder they have been made 1.29 (2/7) favourites to claim maximum points.

Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored 8 goals in last 5 matches for club and country, so he looks a good bet to score the first goal at 3.10 (21/10).

Sergio Ramos misses out through suspension, whereas Angel Di Maria is unlikely to feature as he would be banned for the El Clasico clash in case he receives a yellow card.

Raphael Varane and Daniel Carvajal have resumed full training, but Fabio Coentrao, Alvaro Arbeloa and Sami Khedira remain sidelined.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Lopez – Carvajal, Varane, Pepe, Marcelo – Modric, Alonso, Isco – Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo.