MADRID, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid travel to Villarreal on Saturday in what looks as if it could be one of their toughest league games between now and the end of the season.
Carlo Ancelotti's men go into the 24th round of matches with a six-point lead over second-placed Sevilla, although that lead will be down to three points if Sevilla win at home to Elche on Friday night.
Despite their comfortable position in the table, Ancelotti has a few things to think about after a series of below-par performances saw his side held at home to Elche, before being knocked out of the Copa del Rey away to Athletic Bilbao and then sneaking past Granada 1-0 thanks to a brilliant Marco Asensio goal.
The key factor in those games is the hamstring problem suffered by striker Karim Benzema, who limped off against Elche and has missed his side's last two matches. The performances in those games have only served to highlight just how important Real Madrid's top scorer is to the side - not just for his goals, but also because his intelligent link-up play and movement off the ball holds the Madrid attack together.
With a vital Champions League visit to play Paris Saint-Germain next week, Ancelotti has to decide whether to risk the Frenchman against Villarreal, and if he decides not to take the risk, he then has to consider who will be his replacement.
Asensio looks to be the preferred option, offering mobility and an excellent shot from outside of the area, but it is interesting to see that neither Luka Jovic - the most natural replacement for Benzema - nor Eden Hazard and Gareth Bale has played despite Benzema's absence.
Ferland Mendy may return, but as with Benzema, Ancelotti may decide not to risk his best left-back, while he could also be tempted to play Lucas Vazquez on the right of defense.
Villarreal go into the game with injury issues of their own, with Spain international Gerard Moreno sidelined with a muscle injury, and with Unai Emery's men also in European action next week, he may also changes as Villarreal look to climb towards the top four. ■
