Prediction: Real Madrid vs Eibar

Verdict: Real Madrid win and under 4.5 goals

Best Odds: 23/20

Bookmaker: Bet365

Looking to kick-start their title charge on a return to action this weekend, Real Madrid will welcome Eibar to an empty Bernabéu on Sunday evening.

Real Madrid

Starting with the hosts, while Real Madrid may have impressed many with a 2-0 win against Barcelona when opening March, it does not cover what was a worrying blip for the Spanish giants. Last seen away at Real Betis prior to the enforced break and hit with a shock 2-1 defeat on the road, Zinedine Zidane’s men had lost three of their last four matchups across all competitions. Marking their return to action this weekend sat two points adrift of the defending champions, Madrid’s French icon will be calling for his side to find some much-needed stability at the back end of the campaign. Including crashing out of the Copa del Rey thanks to a stunning 4-3 defeat against Real Sociedad back in February, Los Blancos have now managed to win just a pair of their last seven outings. If Madrid are to mark their return with what is a needed three points this weekend, Zidane will be calling on leading marksman Karim Benzema to lead their charge. The only player in the Spanish capital to reach double digits this season, sat 11 goals clear of Sergio Ramos who sits second in their scoring charts, the Frenchman had previously managed to bag just a single strike in his last seven matches on the bounce.

Team News

After having the enforced break to recover from their respective injury issues, both Eden Hazard Marco Asensio are expected to feature this weekend.

Eibar

As for the visitors, while Real Madrid might make their return enjoying a battle at the top of the La Liga table, Eibar find themselves scrapping it out at the other end. Entering the enforced break with yet another 2-1 defeat against Real Sociedad on home soil, Los Armeros find themselves holding just a two-point buffer over the drop zone and firmly in a relegation battle. Looking over their shoulder and the mood in their camp at a continued low prior to the break, Head Coach José Luis Mendilibar saw his side previously lose four of their last five La Liga appearances. Unable to build off of that shock victory against Atletico Madrid back in January and winning just one of their last eight matchups across all competitions, Eibar also hold a worrying record from across Spain for their continued issues on the road. Including being blown away by defending champions Barcelona in what was a 5-0 romp at the Nou Camp, Mendilibar’s men have managed to land just a sole La Liga victory away from the Ipurua Municipal Stadium so far this season.

Team News

After picking up a red card prior to the break, Eibar will be without Gonzalo Escalante on their trip to the Spanish capital.

However, another defender in Paulo Oliveira will make his own return from suspension on Sunday and should slip straight back into José Luis Mendilibar’s starting XI.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides faced off earlier in the season, Real Madrid landed a thumping 4-0 victory at the Ipurua Municipal Stadium.
• In fact, Los Blancos have won five of their last six meetings against Sunday’s guests.
• Eibar had previously lost four of their last five La Liga appearances prior to the enforced break.
• Los Armeros have managed to land just a single La Liga away victory so far this season and have scored just a single away goal in their last five contests on the road.
• Four of Real Madrid’s last six La Liga matchups at the Bernabéu have seen under 2.5 goals at full-time.

Conclusion

Although Los Blancos might have continued to show some worrying issues heading into the enforced break, the title challengers should see Sunday as a real chance to mark their return in style. With Eibar showing plenty of cause for concern when last seen back in March, José Luis Mendilibar’s should be in for an overwhelming return this weekend. While the former European champions might not have been at their clinical edge for the majority of this season, we’re backing what should be a return to winning ways for Zinedine Zidane’s giants on Sunday.

Verdict: Real Madrid win and under 4.5 goals

Best Odds: 23/20

Bookmaker: Bet365