Real Madrid vs Eibar match preview and predictions for Saturday’s LaLiga match. Read on for the head-to-head, team news and predicted lineups as Los Blancos return to action following the international break.
| Date | Saturday 3rd April 2021 |
| Kick-Off | 16:15 (local time) |
| Stadium | Alfredo Di Stefano |
| Competition | LaLiga |
Real Madrid vs Eibar Preview
Real Madrid are back in action on Saturday. While even Zinedine Zidane may refrain from referring to their home game against struggling Eibar as a “final”, this surely is a game Los Blancos simply have to win if they want to retain realistic title aspirations.
Los Blancos are the first team in action this weekend of the three title contenders. They will move above Barcelona and to within 3 points of Atleti with victory and with Los Rojiblancos faced with a tough trip to Sevilla on Sunday, it’s possible things really will have bunched up by the end of this matchday. A series of late goals have kept Real Madrid in contention but they will know that they can’t keep relying on Karim Benzema to produce moments of inspiration.
Even in their most recent home match, against struggling Elche, Madrid needed a 91st minute winner from the Frenchman having salvaged a point in the 89th minute in their previous home fixture against Real Sociedad. They have the added distraction of a Champions League clash with Liverpool this coming week and Zidane will presumably be furious that Sergio Ramos has returned from the international break with an injury ruling him out of this game and that tie while Toni Kroos may also be missing here.
That gives Eibar a slight glimmer of hope but these are worrying times for the Basque minnows who look in danger of seeing their top flight fairytale end this season. They’ve only taken 3 points from their last 8 games, the worst record of any team in LaLiga. These next couple of months may just be the biggest test Mendilibar has faced during his time at the club.
Eibar head into the matchday in the relegation zone but only two points from safety. They picked up a good result last time out, drawing 1-1 in a Basque derby in Bilbao and if there is reason for them to be positive here, it’s that their best results this term have mostly come against the stronger teams. 3 of their 4 league wins have come against sides currently ranked in the top eight and they are actually unbeaten in their four away games against current top six sides.
Head to Head
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 5 Real Madrid Wins, 1 Eibar Win.
- Los Blancos have won 7 of the last 8 meetings.
- Eibar’s only competitive victory over Real Madrid came via a 3-0 margin at Ipurua in November 2018.
- However Los Blancos were 3-1 winners in the reverse fixture this term.
Team News
Eden Hazard, Dani Carvajal and Sergio Ramos are missing for Real Madrid. Toni Kroos and Fede Valverde are also unlikely to be risked due to slight injuries.
Pedro Bigas is out injured for Eibar who also have doubts over Edu Exposito and Yoshinori Muto.
Predicted Real Madrid Starting Lineup:
Courtois – Mendy, Varane, Nacho, Vazquez – Modric, Casemiro, Isco – Rodrygo, Benzema, Asensio (4-3-3)
Predicted Eibar Starting Lineup:
Dmitrovic – Cote, Arbilla, Oliveira, Pozo – Alvarez, Diop, Garcia – Inui, Kike, Gil (4-3-3)
Real Madrid vs Eibar Predictions
LaLiga Expert Predicts: Real Madrid 2-1 Eibar (follow us on Tipstrr to view our betting tips)
Eibar’s strong road record against the top sides suggests they can’t be completely ruled out here. Zinedine Zidane is unlikely to risk the likes of Toni Kroos who have returned with slightly injury problems so this won’t be his strongest XI but with Benzema not involved with France and in such stunning form, you fancy the striker could be the difference again with Los Blancos likely to record maximum points.
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