The international break is over and table topping Real Madrid make the trip north to take on La Liga new boys, Eibar.
Eibar have made a respectable start to life in La Liga and currently sit tenth with thirteen points from their opening eleven games. However, they are in poor form with just one win in their last seven league games although four of those games were drawn.
They have mostly lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation although they did play five at the back when they went to the Nou Camp and Gaizka Garritano may be tempted to go with the extra defender again against a Real Madrid side who have scored forty-two goals in eleven league games.
Los Armeros' top goal scorer is Mikel Arruabarrena with four goals and they will be hoping he can cause problems for Real's defence. Raul Albentosa has been having a very good year at centre back and he will have to be at his best to keep Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema off the score sheet.
Eibar won't be at full strength and will be without defenders, Manuel Lillo and Raul Navas who are suspended. Federico Piovaccari is also a doubt after missing the trip to Malaga before the international break and Manu del Moral is likely to continue in attack.
Real have recovered well from a difficult start to top La Liga despite losing two of their opening three games. Since then they have won thirteen games in succession (8 in La Liga, 4 in Champions League & 1 Copa Del Rey). The club record is fifteen successive wins in La Liga and the Champions League. In those two competitions they have currently won twelve in a row and could break the record if they beat Eibar, Basel, Malaga and Celta in their next four games.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been in sensational form with eighteen goals and five assists in his ten league appearances. He is currently on pace to score over sixty goals and smash Lionel Messi's record of fifty La Liga goals in 2011/12.
Ronaldo hasn't had to do it all on his own though and new signings Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez have impressed along with Isco, Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Sergio Ramos. Real Madrid look fully equipped to compete on all fronts and will be strong favourites to beat Eibar.
Real were dealt a blow during the international break when their Croatian midfielder, Luka Modric picked up a thigh injury whilst playing for his country in their draw with Italy. He looks set to miss a few months and it will open up a place in the starting lineup for Sami Khedira or Isco. Ancelotti has indicated that he would like to give Isco a chance alongside Toni Kroos in midfield so it looks like he will get the start.
Modric will undoubtedly be a big loss for Real but they have been like a juggernaut in recent weeks and should have more than enough to beat a plucky Eibar side who are doing themselves justice and proving they belong among Spain's elite.
Predicted Lineups
Eibar - Irureta; Boveda, Albentosa, Ekiza, Abraham; Garcia, Errasti; Capa, Arruabarrena, Saul; Moral.
Real Madrid - Casillas; Carvajal, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo; Bale, Kroos, Isco, James; Benzema, Ronaldo.