Real Madrid – Eibar. Alexander Vishnevskiy’s prediction

Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are all in a position where they might just sacrifice their La Liga games in order to prepare for the Champions League. As far as the league table is concerned things are pretty clear right now. Barcelona are going to win the title, and both Madrid clubs don’t mind if they get second or third place. All they care about is securing a place in CL semi-finals.

It’s hard to predict the result before the starting XI is revealed. But we already know that Keylor Navas and Luca Modric are out, Sergio Ramos is suspended and Rafael Varane and Karim Benzema are injured. So Kiko Casilla will be in goal with Pepe and Nacho in defence. Zinedine Zidane will definitely bench Carvajal and Marcelo and field Arbeloa and Danilo. This will weaken both Real Madrid’s defence and attack because the centre-backs always go forward in Zidane’s tactics.

The midfield will be rotated too: I expect to see Jese, Isco, James Rodriguez and maybe Lucas Vasquez. I also expect Cristiano Ronaldo to be dynamic because he’s seeking personal trophies. But with a mixed midfield I don’t expect too many chances for Real Madrid.

So I am backing Real to win with total match goals under 4.5. Zidane’s team shouldn’t lose points at home, but Eibar are tough to play against. They have just one defeat with over 4.5 goals this season (2:5 against Atletico Madrid), and they haven’t lost against Real Madrid, Barcelona or other top teams with over 4.5 goals in two their seasons in Primera.