With their mind already set on their Club World Cup participation, Real Madrid will try to extend their lead in La Liga when they play Almeria on Friday night. The red and white team will try to take away Real Madrid's current streak of 19 consecutive wins, a victory that could ease things inside the squad after having coach Francisco sacked earlier this week.
Almeria get to this match just ahead of the relegation zone. Their goal difference has kept them out of the hottest zone in La Liga, but their current streak has not helped their hopes of remaining in the Spanish top flight. This could be the right time for them to win a match against Real Madrid, something they have not been able to do in Los Blancos' last nine visits. Furthermore, the league leader's visit to their grounds could be enough motivation for them to win their first match at home this season. The last time Almeria got to this round without a win, they were relegated in the 2010-2011 season.
For Real Madrid things could not look any better. Having one of their finest seasons in history, Carlo Ancelotti's crew will try to repeat last year's performance against the red and white team, when they managed to win 5-0. Cristiano Ronaldo's current shape could help them in that matter, since the Portuguese star has scored 23 goals in 14 matches. If Los Blancos can keep their consecutive win streak, then they would surely end 2014 in La Liga's first place, giving themselves a boost for next year's commitments. In their last three games against Almeria, Real Madrid have outscored their hosts 17-1, which could give you a fine idea of what could happen when they meet at the Mediterranean Games Stadium.
Almeria vs Real Madrid team sheets
Almeria's lineup: Ruben, Michel, Ximo, Trujillo, Vélez, Verza,Thomas, Edgar, Dubarbier, Soriano,Hemed.
Real Madrid's Lineup: Casillas, Varane, Pepe, Ronaldo, Kroos, Benzema, Bale, Marcelo, Carvajal, Isco, Illarra.
Almeria's subs: TBD
Real Madrid's subs: Keylor Navas, Coentrao, Chicharito, Arbeloa, Nacho, Jesé, Medrán.
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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