Fresh from the underwhelming midweek stalemate in the Clasico, Real Madrid host Athletic Club at the Bernabeu on Sunday as they look to end their year on a high.
Real will have left Camp Nou the happier of the two sides as they remain level on points with Barcelona at the La Liga summit.
However, when Los Blancos take to the Bernabeu pitch on Saturday, they could find themselves three points behind their rivals, with Barcelona kicking off earlier in the day against Alaves.
Real face an Athletic side who sit seventh, just three points off the Champions League places and nine points off their hosts on Saturday. After a run of four straight wins, Athletic have stuttered in recent weeks, with a 0-0 draw against 16th place Eibar and 3-2 loss to Real Betis.
Team news
Real Madrid have a mountain of injuries to contend with as they near the winter break. Marco Asensio is a long term absentee and is unlikely to feature for the rest of the season due to a serious knee injury. Lucas Vazquez and Eden Hazard are both out until 2020, with the former suffering from a fractured toe and the latter a small fracture to his ankle.
Full-back Marcelo has endured a multitude of injuries this season and he is expected to remain sidelined with the calf injury that prevented him from featuring in the Clasico.
Casemiro is suspended after picking up a yellow card against Barcelona in midweek, but there is more positive news surrounding James Rodriguez, who has returned to full training following a knee injury sustained in November. However, it is unlikely the Colombian will be fit enough for Saturday’s squad.
Óscar de Marcos is absent for Athletic with an ankle injury that will require surgery. Captain Iker Muniain is out until January after sustaining a hamstring injury in November, while a hip injury means striker Aritz Aduriz is unlikely to feature, although the 38-year-old has returned to training.
Full back Ander Capa is suspended after being booked during Athletic Club’s last La Liga outing against Eibar.