Verdict: Real Madrid win & Under 4.5 goals
Best Odds: 20/21
Bookmaker: Luckster
Turning their attention back to Copa del Rey duties on Wednesday night, Real Madrid will travel to local rivals Leganes.
Leganes
Starting with the hosts, while Leganes might have only made their La Liga return this season, Borja Jimenez’s men have a real battle on their hands in the race to keep hold of their top-flight status. Last seen over the weekend putting in another toothless display as they slumped to a 1-0 loss at home against Rayo Vallecano, the Madrid-based outfit find themselves at the heart of a relegation scrap. Currently holding just a two-point buffer from slipping into the drop zone, Leganes have won just a pair of their previous nine showdowns against La Liga opposition. Heading into Spain’s festive break with a 5-2 drumming at the hands of Villarreal, Wednesday’s hosts have gained a reputation for their glaring issues on home soil. In fact, Jimenez’s side have lost four of their previous five La Liga showdowns in front of their own supporters.
Leganes Team News
While Sergio Gonzalez Poirrier might have been shown a straight red card against Rayo Vallecano last weekend, the veteran defender is free to feature on Wednesday night. Not making a single appearance since returning from November’s international break, Enric Franquesa remains on the sidelines.
Cementing his spot as Jimenez’s number one Copa del Rey choice between the sticks, Spanish shot-stopper Juan Soriano should return here. Despite notching just a sole La Liga strike so far this season, one-time Barcelona starlet Munir El Haddadi will feature in the final third.
Real Madrid
As for the visitors, suffering real frustration over the weekend as they slumped to a shock 1-0 loss away at Espanyol, Real Madrid are certainly seeking an immediate response here. Watching their five-match winning run come to an abrupt end, Carlo Ancelotti’s men hold just a one-point buffer at the top of the La Liga table and the former AC Milan boss has come under some increasing pressure. Nevertheless, with their sights once again firmly set on completing another domestic sweep this season, the Spanish giants will be excited by their most recent trip to their local rivals. Storming their way to a routine 3-0 romp when they travelled to the Estadio Municipal Butarque for a La Liga showdown on November 24th, Ancelotti will be calling on his superstar squad to produce a repeat performance on Wednesday night.
Real Madrid Team News
Both still dealing with respective long-term knee injuries, Real Madrid will once again be without the defensive duo of Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao. Likewise, not featuring over the past weeks, French international Eduardo Camavinga is not expected to feature on Wednesday night.
Bagging a Copa del Rey brace away at Deportiva Minera last month, 19-year-old Arda Guler should get some more minutes under his belt here. Notching 15 La Liga goals in his 20 top-flight appearances so far this season, Kylian Mbappe will spearhead Los Blancos’ charge.
Key Factors to Consider
- When Leganes and Real Madrid last met back on November 24th, Los Blancos collected a 3-0 romp at the Estadio Municipal Butarque.
- Real Madrid have suffered just a single historic La Liga defeat at the Estadio Municipal Butarque.
- Leganes have won four of their previous five La Liga showdowns in front of their owns supporters.
- Real Madrid’s 1-0 loss against Leganes last weekend drew a line under their five-match winning run across all competitions.
- French superstar Kylian Mbappe has notched 15 goals in his 20 La Liga appearances so far this season.
Conclusion
Watching their five-match winning run come to a shock end away at Espanyol last weekend, Real Madrid are seeking an immediate response here. With their sights still firmly set on completing another domestic sweep in 2025, Los Blancos will be excited by their most recent trip to their local rivals. Storming their way to a routine 3-0 victory when they travelled to the Estadio Municipal Butarque back on November 24th, we are expecting a similar outcome on Wednesday night.
Verdict: Real Madrid win & Under 4.5 goals
Best Odds: 20/21
Bookmaker: Luckster
