(Sporting Alert) — Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale both start for Real Madrid in today’s Spanish La Liga clash against Almeria.
FOLLOW LIVE: Real Madrid v Almeria
The pair will again form a strong attacking line for the league leaders, which seek their 20th successive victory in all competitions.
Bale and Ronaldo will be joined in the frontline by Karim Benzema, who has also been in fine form for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, which set a Spanish-record by winning 19 straight games with a 4-0 victory over Ludogorets in the Champions League in midweek.
“It has been a fantastic year for Real Madrid and we want to round off our La Liga fixtures with a win,” Ancelotti said.
“With everything the team have done in 2014, I’d give them a high mark out of 10.”
Toni Kroos, Isco and Asier Illarramendi all start in the midfield, with Manchester United and Arsenal target Raphaël Varane, Pepe, Marcelo and Daniel Carvajal starting in the backline.
Javier Hernández, Jese and Fábio Coentrão are among the substitutes for tonight’s game for the Blancos.
Real Madrid lead the Spanish La Liga with 36 points from 14 games, two more than rivals Barcelona, with defending champions Atletico Madrid in third on 32 points.
Ancelotti’s team will be hoping to end its 2014 domestic fixtures with a win before heading off to play in the Club World Cup.
Almeria v Real Madrid
Almeria XI: Ruben; Michel, Navarro, Trujillo, Velez; Teye, Verza; Mendez, Soriano, Dubarbier; Hemed. Subs: Julian, Dos Santos, Corona, Azeez, Zongo, Mane, Wellington, Bifouma.
Real Madrid XI: Casillas; Carvajal, Pepe, Varane, Marcelo; Illarramendi, Kroos, Isco; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo. Subs: Navas, Arbeloa, Coentrao, Medran, Nacho, Jese, Chicharito Hernández.
