Real Madrid can take another giant stride towards the La Liga title with a home victory over Alaves on Friday evening.
Zinedine Zidane's men currently boast a four-point lead over closest rivals Barcelona as a Sergio Ramos penalty was enough to see off Athletic Bilbao at the weekend, although Barca can temporarily close the gap to just one point with victory over relegation-threatened Espanyol on Wednesday.
Real Madrid have not suffered a league defeat on home soil all season and have enjoyed a 100% record since the Spanish top flight returned to action, and three points over Alaves would put Madrid in a strong position to achieve La Liga glory with fixtures against Granada, Villarreal and Leganes left to play.
Here, Sports Mole rounds up Madrid's latest injury and suspension news ahead of their clash with Alaves.
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Status: Minor doubt
Type of injury: Ankle
Possible return date: July 10 (vs. Alaves)
Eden Hazard has endured an injury-plagued maiden campaign at the Bernabeu and missed out the win over Bilbao after his ankle flared up. Zidane confirmed that the Belgian's setback is a minor one, though, and Hazard could be available for Friday.
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Status: Minor doubt
Type of injury: Concussion
Possible return date: July 10 (vs. Alaves)
World Cup-winning defender Raphael Varane also missed out the victory at the weekend over concussion fears, but the Frenchman's absence was thought to be precautionary and he should make the cut for Friday's clash with Alaves.
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Status: Major doubt
Type of injury: Thigh
Possible return date: July 10 (vs. Alaves)
Nacho has been struggling with a thigh problem and is yet to feature for Los Blancos since the Spanish top flight returned to action. Madrid already have a depleted defence to deal with this week, but Nacho has a chance of being involved here.
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Status: Major doubt
Type of injury: Muscular
Possible return date: July 10 (vs. Alaves)
Teenage protege Reinier, who is yet to feature for the Madrid first team, picked up a muscular injury in his leg at the end of June but is understood to be nearing a return to fitness.
REAL MADRID'S SUSPENSION LIST
Sergio Ramos
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Possible return date: July 13 (vs. Granada)
Sunday's match-winner Sergio Ramos picked up his 10th booking of the season last time out and will serve a one-match suspension for the visit of Alaves.
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Possible return date: July 13 (vs. Granada)
Madrid's defensive woes do not end there as Dani Carvajal shared the same fate as his compatriot Ramos in the win over Bilbao, with a late booking for Carvajal meaning that he will be forced to miss this one out as well.
Ben Knapton
