Los Blancos will be aiming to close the gap behind arch rivals Barcelona at least for a couple of hours when they take on Malaga, a team that currently sit in 10th position in the standings.

It was the slow start to the league campaign that denied Real Madrid a chance to fight for the La Liga trophy last season, and they are in danger of repeating the same scenario this term as well.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side have already dropped five points this term and with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid still boasting a 100% record, it is perfectly clear los Merengues cannot allow any more mistakes.

After hammering FC Copenhagen in the Champions League, Real Madrid were extremely fortunate to bring all three points from the away match against Levante, having scored two goals in the dying moments of the match.

Los Blancos will be looking to finish the job much sooner when they take on Malaga, so odds of 1.65 (13/20) offered on Real Madrid half-time/full-time win do look tempting.

Having finally rediscovered his scoring touch, Cristiano Ronaldo is 3.15 (43/20) to open the scoring at Santiago Bernabeu.

Gareth Bale and Daniel Carvajal have resumed full training, but Xabi Alonso is not yet ready to return into action.

Raphael Varane is unlikely to be risked after picking up a knee injury, but Luka Modric, Sergio Ramos and Marcelo have been deemed fit to play.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Lopez – Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo – Modric, Khedira – Di Maria, Isco, Ronaldo – Benzema.

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New Malaga boss Bernd Schuster had to do some squad rebuilding after a number of key players left La Rosaleda in the summer, but he seems to have done a pretty good job.

Operating on a tight budget, los Boquerones could only sign some pretty average players, but they have, nonetheless, enjoyed a decent start to the league campaign.

Malaga recovered well from narrow defeats to Valencia and Barcelona to embark on a five-match unbeaten run that eventually came to an end just before the international break as they suffered a shock defeat to Osasuna.

Bernd Schuster’s side now face a mountain to climb against hungry Real Madrid, but they should play a part in making both teams to score bet a good option here, at 1.75 (3/4).

Important players Mounir El Hamdaoui and Marcos Angeleri should return to the side, while Brazilian defender Weligton could make his first appearance of the season after recovering from a broken collarbone.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Caballero – Gamez, Sanchez, Angeleri, Antunes – Darder, Tissone – Morales, Portillo, Duda – El Hamdaoui.