Real Madrid host Sevilla in their final game of 2024 on December 22 with the La Liga title race getting tense.
With Barcelona struggling, Hansi Flick’s team face the prospect of ending 2024 in second or third place, depending on how their weekend clash with Atletico Madrid ends.
Real Madrid are just one point behind the two third-placed teams and the name is likely to change hands several times over the weekend.
Los Blancos head into this game on the back of winning their first title of the season after cruising to a 3-0 FIFA Intercontinental Cup final win over Pachuca in midweek.
MORE: All the news | Real Madrid news
Carlo Ancelotti’s all-star forward trio of Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo Goes and Vinicius Junior all scored against Pachuca in Lusial.
However, two of them will start this match: Mbappé is recovering from a minor injury, but Vinicius Jr is suspended.
Ferland Mendy, Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao and David Alaba are injured.
Real Madrid lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Courtois (GK) — Vazquez, Tchouameni, Rudiger, Garcia — Modric, Bellingham, Camavinga — Diaz, Rodrygo, Vinicius.
Injured: Mendy, Carvajal, Militao, AlabaSuspended: None
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Sevilla’s injury list remains unchanged ahead of their visit to Madrid with Adria Pedrosa, Chidera Ejuke and Tanguy Nianzou.
Manu Bueno scored the winning goal in a rare Sevilla victory last weekend and they may remain unchanged.
Sevilla lineup (4-4-2, from left to right): Fernández (GK) – Montiel, Baden, Gudelj, Salas – Bueno, Agoume, Niguez – Navas, Iheanacho, Lukebakio.
Injured: Pedrosa, Ejuke, NianzouSuspended: None
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Feargal is a content producer for The Sporting News. He has been working with TSN since the start of 2022 after stints with Reach, Amazon UK and Squawka in a nomadic career in the football media pyramid. Always with a keen eye on Arteta’s ‘Reds’ and Kenny’s Ireland ‘Greens’ and a 100% five-a-side penalty record.