Real Madrid vs Hercules Match Preview
Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid host Hercules at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday's night, eager to shorten Barcelona's advantage for at least a few hours. Portuguese international Cristiano Ronaldo will be watching the game from the bench as he prepares to return against Lyon in midweek, Fellow countrymen Ricardo Carvalho will also be given a chance to rest, and perhaps Xabi Alonso will be joining them.
Fernando Gago, Pedro Leon, Kaka and Gonzalo Higuain won't be able to perform due to injuries. Sami Khedira and Lass Diarra might be given the control of the midfield, with Mesut Ozil and Angel Di Maria providing the needed creativity to overcome the opposite defense.
After a successful performance last week, Emmanuel Adebayor and Karim Benzema will be leading the attack. Real Madrid scored 13 goals in the last three games at the Santiago Bernabeu, a truly fearsome record.
Hercules' coach Esteban Vigo misses three essential players for his scheme: Dutch international Royston Drenthe cannot play against his former team, team's captain Paco Peña, David Trezeguet and Tote are ruled out due to injuries, while Nelson Haedo Valdez might not be fully fit to perform.
Real Madrid wants to demonstrate Barcelona they won't give up without a fight for the title, will they manage to bag the three points against Vigo's Herculeans?