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Eibar vs. Real Madrid: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info

Published by Bleacher Report on Sun, 29 Nov 2015


Jose Luis Mendilibar was trying to be realistic, but he couldn't help expressing a sense of hope, too."We know we're playing one of the best in the world, and it would be normal that they win," the Eibar manager told AS ahead of his side's clash with Real Madrid on Sunday. But then he added: "In spite of that, you never know."And that's the thing: He's right; you don't. Not right now, anyway.As recently as six or seven months ago, a meeting between Eibar and Real Madrid would have held few possibilities. After a promising start to the 2014-15 season, the Basques ground to halt in the campaign's second half, winning only two of their last 19 games and trudging back toward the Segunda Division in a disheartening manner.Though on the season's final day they won, in the bigger picture they lost. Deportivo La Coruna drew with Barcelona, and Granada drew with Atletico Madrid; Eibar were relegated, andGaizka Garitano quit. Their remarkable rise was over. Or at least it was until Elche's financial problems gave them a reprievea reprieve they're now capitalising on.Big time.In 12 games this season, Eibar have lost only twice, and they currently sit in the European places just one point behind Villarreal. Behind them are Valencia, Sevilla and Athletic Bilbao, and it's becoming hard to ignore a team that continues to punch above their weight like no other.Indeed, heavyweights in Barcelona and Atletico remain the only sides to have overcome Eibar this term, and an outfit that plays at a 6,000-seat stadium has taken points from Celta Vigo, Sevilla and most recently Villarreal.Evidently, something is happening at theIpurua.Following an extensive squad overhaul and now underMendilibar, Eibar have taken on a new existence and a new personality. With intensity and purpose, they press, they run, they tackle and they harassthe idea to outwork opponents rather than outplay them. "The key is that we believe in what we are doing," the manager said.They're not the only ones, either; others are starting to believe, too. But that's not quite the case for Sunday's opponents.Despite their win in Ukraine on Wednesday against Shakhtar Donetsk, Real Madrid are convincing few.After taking a four-goal lead at the Arena Lviv, Los Blancos conceded three goals in the space of 11 minutes, finishing the contest with a nervousness that felt emblematic of their current identity. Admittedly, the win did represent progress following defeats to Sevilla and Barcelona, but Rafa Benitez's supposedly defensive side has now conceded 10 goals in three games.Defensive, then' Not really. Attacking' Well...Real Madrid's issue at present is that they appear stuck between both of those things. Under Benitez, their essence and their intent have alteredthe team becoming more structured than naturalbut it doesn't feel as if changes are being embraced. Going forward they've lacked cohesion; at the back they've lacked clarity. As a collective, they feel caught between who they are and who they're being asked to be."In short, Real Madrid need to work out who they are," we noted here at Bleacher Report. "And if they say that's often best done on the road, they could add it's often best done in secluded, far-away places.Places like the Ipurua."Indeed, in theory a trip to the hills of the Basque Country is exactly what Madrid need at present, Eibar being the sort of opponents whose low-key stage is ideal for a beleaguered team. But this won't be a walkover in the way it once might have been; Eibar are better than ever.Can the hosts win' Can they upset the biggest of all'It's as if Mendilibar said: "You never know."Match DetailsDate: Sunday, November 29Time:3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. EST/4 p.m. localVenue:Ipurua Municipal Stadium, EibarTV Info: Sky Sports (UK), beIN Sports (U.S.)Live Stream: Sky Go (UK), beIN Sports CONNECT (U.S.)Form LinesTeam NewsFor Real Madrid, Raphael Varane will be missing from this game after suffering a thigh injury against Shakhtar Donetsk. Consequently, Nacho will likely replace the Frenchman, stepping in to partner Pepe at the heart of the defence amid Sergio Ramos' absence.Also at the back, first-choice left-back Marcelo will be unavailable, too, meaning either Alvaro Arbeloa or Danilo could start in Benitez's XI at the Ipurua given that the squad lacks a designated back-up on the defence's left side.Elsewhere, meanwhile, Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez are also expected to feature againIsco's suspension in particular leaves a position available for the latteropening the possibility of Benitez returning to the most offensive lineup available to him.For Eibar, wide man Keko is suspended after being sent off against Villarreal last time out, givingTakashi Inui a chance to return to starting XI. Positively, however,attacking right-backAnder Capawho spent spells last season on the right wingreturns from suspension to strengthen the back four.Given the form of forwards Borja Baston and Sergi Enrich, Mendilibar might also continue with the 4-4-2 seen against Villarreal despite having used a 4-2-3-1 for most of the season.Predicted LineupsOdds (via OddsChecker)Eibar: 13-2Draw: 4-1Real Madrid: 2-5
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