Real Madrid vs Leganés, 2016 La Liga: Match Preview

Los Merengues seek win after mid-week stutter

Real Madrid host minnows Leganés on Sunday, who are currently enjoying a decent start to their maiden Liga season.

The side from the outskirts of Madrid have won 10 points in as many games so far this season, notably defeating Celta Vigo on the opening weekend of the season, as well as taking a point from Atlético Madrid.

Results in the past few games may not make good reading for Leganés fans, but they still claimed victories away to Deportivo and Granada respectively.

And after Wednesday evening’s stumble away to Legia Warsaw, Zinedine Zidane will be calling for his side to go into the international break with a win, especially as they face Atlético upon the domestic restart.

Zidane fielded a 4-4-2 mid week, but expect Real to revert to 4-3-3. You would imagine that Morata will assume the role of the lone striker, flanked by Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.

With Pepe and Sergio Ramos still injured, Nacho and Raphael Varane look set to continue at centre back. Fábio Coentrão made his first start since 2014/2015, but Marcelo should resume his role as captain and left-back.

Mateo Kovacic also performed well midweek, and despite Luka Modric being named in the squad, the former should continue in central midfield with Toni Kroos.

Leganés will most likely set up in a 4-2-3-1, which they used in the draw with Atletico, but Manager Asier Garitano deployed a 4-3-3 in the 5-1 loss to Barcelona.

The visitors like to attack down the right flank, and as Marcelo enjoys supporting Real’s attack, Leganés will look to exploit the space the Brazilian vacates.

Left-winger Alexander Szymanowski and young Brazilian attacker Gabriel have been Leganés’ most potent goal threats so far this season, and will take advantage if Real afford them too much time and space in the final third with their key passes and dribbling abilities. Gabriel in particular is a threat from set-pieces.

It should be pretty-straightforward for Real, but they cannot afford any complacency, especially with no chance to put it right before the Madrid derby on Saturday 19 November.

Staff Predictions:

Real Madrid vs Leganes: Preview and Prediction

Real Madrid vs Leganes
Spanish La Liga 2016/17
Date: Sunday, 6th November 2016,
Kick-Off at 11:00 UK
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid.

Real Madrid host form battling Leganes for match day 11 of the 2016/2017 La Liga Santander campaign.

Real Madrid overturns a 1 goal deficit to thrash Alaves 4-1 in their last weekend’s visit to Mendizorrotza stadium. The Blancos have some injury worries since the start of the season, which is a major reason for their slow start. Real Madrid sit top of the Spanish league log with 24 point from 10 games.

The record European champions were held to 3-3 draw in their mid-week Champions League clash with Polish outfit Legia Warsaw. The match has no shortage of drama as Legia fought back from 2 goals down and took the lead with 5 minutes left on the clock, only to concede a late goal.

Leganes suffered a 2-0 home defeat in their match day 10 showdown with Real Sociedad. The Pepineros have now failed to find the net in their last 2 league games, conceding 6 goals in those clashes. They sits bottom of the Spanish league log with 1 point adrift of the relegation waters.

Key Facts

Real Madrid currently enjoys a 10 league games unbeaten run this season, and the Blancos have failed to taste defeat in 25 straight competitive games. Real Madrid has recorded 3 wins in their first 5 home league games played so far this season.

Leganes are currently on a 3 match losing streak. The Pepineros failed to complement their electrifying start into the season after registering 2 wins in their last 8 league games. However, Leganes away form is something we should applaud. The newly promoted side has 3 wins in their first 5 away league games this season.

Real Madrid vs Leganes: Head to Head

These two sides will be meeting each other for the first time in 12 years. Real Madrid and Leganes last met during the 2004/2005 Copa Del Rey competition and the Blancos won the clash with a 2-1 score line.

Moreover, both sides have only met twice in the 21 century and Real were victorious on both occasions.

Real Madrid vs Leganes: Prediction

Real Madrid are scoring goals for fun at the moment. They netted a whopping 14 goals in the last three matches in all competitions. And they are the only unbeaten side in the Spanish La Liga after 10 match weeks. For the newly promoted Leganes, it will be a hard fight to keep the defeat at a respectable margin.

On the base of Madrid’s brilliant scoring form, it would be a good choice to back them on a -1 goals handicap to win the first half.