Real Madrid vs Leganes: Preview, predictions and lineups | OneFootball

Real Madrid host Leganes in La Liga on Saturday evening in their first outing since the conclusion of the March international break.

Barcelona's victory over Osasuna on Thursday means Los Blancos are now three points behind the league leaders, but will eliminate that gap with victory against Leganes given their Clasico rivals are not in action again until Sunday.

Madrid entered the international break on a high after defeating city rivals Atletico in the Champions League, before earning a crucial victory against Villarreal last time out. They will be in confident mood for the visit of Leganes.

Fellow capital-based outfit Leganes are battling against relegation and currently sit within the drop zone - albeit only on goal difference. They appear unlikely to upset the odds at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu and could even be leapfrogged by 19th-placed Las Palmas.

Here is 90min's guide to the clash.

Real Madrid vs Leganes head-to-head record (last five games)

Current form (all competitions)

How to watch Villarreal vs Real Madrid on TV - UK & US

Real Madrid team news

Thibaut Courtois is an injury doubt / Angel Martinez/GettyImages

Thibaut Courtois could miss out on Saturday's clash after suffering an injury scare during the international break with Belgium. With such an intense fixture list on the horizon, Andriy Lunin may be drafted in to offer Courtois time to recuperate.

Long-term absentees Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal are still sidelined and they are joined on the sidelines by Dani Ceballos, Ferland Mendy and Jesus Vallejo.

Madrid's South American contingent will feel the burn on Saturday evening having made the lengthy trip back to Spain following some gruelling action. Regardless, Federico Valverde, Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior should all start.

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Leganes (4-2-3-1): Lunin; Vazquez, Asencio, Rudiger, F. Garcia; Valverde, Tchouameni; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius; Mbappe.

Leganes team news

Borja Jimenez faces an immense challenge on Saturday / Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/GettyImages

Leganes boss Borja Jimenez will be without Enric Franquesa once more, with the full-back out for the remainder of the campaign after tearing his ACL. Yvan Neyou Noupa could join him on the sidelines due to a muscle injury.

Leganes need goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic to serve up a better performance than he did against Real Betis before the international break, while Jimenez will also be reliant on top scorer and provider Daniel Raba at the other end. The 29-year-old bagged a brace last time out.

Leganes predicted lineup vs Real Madrid

Leganes predicted lineup vs Real Madrid (4-1-4-1): Dmitrovic; Rosier, Gonzalez, Nastasic, J. Hernandez; Tapia; Cruz, Rodriguez, Cisse, Brasanac; Raba.

Madrid should have few issues sweeping struggling Leganes aside this weekend. Their opponents have one of the worst defensive records in the division, average less than a goal per game and have managed just ten points on the road this season.

Meanwhile, Madrid enter Saturday's encounter in encouraging form and have the attacking weapons to dismantle Leganes' defence. They should win at a canter and even have the opportunity to make early substitutions ahead of the midweek Copa del Rey duel with Real Sociedad.