Ronaldo on brink of record as Real Madrid prepare to face Granada

Real Madrid will expect to score goals when they entertain Granada in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Rafael Benitez's side have hit the goal trail in their last three matches after struggling to find the net over the summer. Games against Betis, Espanyol and Shakhtar Donetsk have come at just the right time and yielded 15 goals.

It's true that Betis were newly promoted to the Primera Liga, Espanyol seem to always roll over and die against Madrid and Shahktar had a player sent off and two dubious penalties given against them, but the feeling is that Benitez could not have asked for better rivals to allow his side to grow in confidence for the tougher challenges that lie ahead.

That tough challenge shouldn't arrive on Saturday with the visit of Granada, who apart from a surprise win against Getafe, have looked a poor side this season and who will arrive at the Bernabeu with memories of the 9-1 thrashing they received in the ground last season.

That game saw then coach Abel Resines rest key players, almost giving the game up as lost before it had even begun and with midweek fixtures next week in Spain, it's possible Granada coach Jose Ramon Sandoval could do something similar.

Real Madrid will be without several players through injury with Gareth Bale out with a calf problem, Sergio Ramos suffering a shoulder injury, while James Rodriguez and Danilo will be sidelined until the end of the month.

Meanwhile after scoring eight goals in his last two games (three of which came from the penalty spot) all eyes will be on Cristiano Ronaldo, who has now scored 321 goals for the club, just two short of the all-time record set by Raul Gonzalez.

Another hat-trick would see Ronaldo make history on Saturday and judging by current form that would surprise nobody. Endi