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Real Madrid prepare to face under-strength Villarreal

Xinhua, February 28, 2015 Adjust font size:

Real Madrid continue their quest for the BBVA Primera Liga title with one of the most difficult games that remains for them in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Sunday night.

Sixth placed Villarreal visit the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium looking to strengthen their challenge for a possible top-four finish, or to move ahead of Sevilla, who are just one point above them in the table, while depending on FC Barcelona's result away to Granada on Saturday, Madrid aim to retain their four-point cushion over the Catalans or even extend it still further.

The good news for Real Madrid is that Luka Modric is continuing his recovery from a knee injury and although it looks as if the Croatian will not be available for this weekend, his recovery comes at just the right time, given that his three month absence has seen Tony Kroos already play almost 3,200 minutes of competitive football this season.

That is 400 minutes (four full games) more than Kroos has ever played in a season and perhaps it's no surprise that the German is showing some signs of tired legs.

Nevertheless he will partner recent arrival Lucas Silva in the middle of the midfield as a result of Modric's injury.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale will lead the attack, while Rafael Varene continues alongside Sergio Ramos in central defense.

Villarreal go to the Bernabeu with the intention of resting key players ahead of their King's Cup semifinal against Barcelona on Wednesday, where they have to overturn a 3-1 first leg deficit.

Spain international Bruno Soriano is out for the season with a knee injury while winger, Denis Cheryshev, who is on loan from Madrid is ineligible for the match, while coach Marcelino Garcia has already made it clear that players who took part in Thursday's Europa League win in Salzburg would not play. That means regular such as Victor Ruiz, Trigueros, Musacchio or in form striker Vieto will all watch from the sidelines making Real Madrid's task that much easier. Endi