Spanish Copa del Rey returns this week and on Thursday, it’s Leganes versus Real Madrid in the quarter-final first leg. Real Madrid are still fighting in the cup but they are having a nightmare of a season in La Liga, they are now closer to the relegation zone than they are the top of the table. They are still in fourth and will qualify for the Champions League if they stay there while their opponents, Leganes are 13^th in La Liga.

STATS

• Leganes have started to tail off this term after an incredible start which saw them break into the top eight. They have done well in the Copa del Rey so far after knocking out Real Valladolid and Villarreal in the previous rounds. In the last 32, they took advantage of the away goals rule after scoring a goal away at Villarreal to keep them in the competition. Now is certainly the best time to play Los Blancos.
• Zinedine Zidane will be looking over his shoulder in this one as a loss could put an end to his managerial career at the Santiago Bernabeu. Despite this, they still have a chance at winning the Copa del Rey. They breezed past Numancia in the last round with a 5-2 aggregate victory, which they confirmed on last Wednesday. This came after they won 4-2 against Fuenlabrada, who are top of the Spanish third tier.
• Gabriel Pires will be hoping to provide the main attacking threat for the hosts against Real Madrid as he is Leganes’ top scorer this season with four goals.
• With a potentially weaker Real Madrid line-up, Lucas Vazquez and Borja Mayoral will be expected to lead the line for the visitors. They both three Copa del Rey goals this season.

HEAD TO HEAD

The two sides have faced off just twice and both fixtures came last season, where Real Madrid won on both occasions on their way to the title. They were supposed to meet before Christmas but due to Real Madrid’s involvement in the Club World Cup, it has been delayed until later in the season. The most recent of the two fixtures ended 4-2 to Real at Estadio Municipal de Butarque after an Alvaro Morata hat-trick.

Head to head matches: CD Leganes - Real Madrid

05.04.2017

LaLi

CD Leganes

Real Madrid

2:4

LEGANES NEWS

Leganes need to avoid defeat in the first-leg as it will be a huge uphill task in the second-leg if they don’t. Jon Ander Serantes and Dos Santos Mauro are the only injury worries but both players might return for Thursday night’s fixture.

Latest matches: CD Leganes

15.01.2018	LaLi	Betis Sevilla	CD Leganes	3:2	L
10.01.2018	Copa	Villarreal CF	CD Leganes	2:1	L
07.01.2018	LaLi	CD Leganes	Real Sociedad	1:0	W
04.01.2018	Copa	CD Leganes	Villarreal CF	1:0	W
19.12.2017	LaLi	Levante UD	CD Leganes	0:0	D

REAL MADRID NEWS

A win for the visitors will provide a confidence boost if nothing else and Karim Benzema might start as he comes back from injury. Luca Zidane and Sergio Ramos are both injured, Gareth Bale may also feature.

Latest matches: CD Leganes

15.01.2018	LaLi	Betis Sevilla	CD Leganes	3:2	L
10.01.2018	Copa	Villarreal CF	CD Leganes	2:1	L
07.01.2018	LaLi	CD Leganes	Real Sociedad	1:0	W
04.01.2018	Copa	CD Leganes	Villarreal CF	1:0	W
19.12.2017	LaLi	Levante UD	CD Leganes	0:0	D

SUMMARY

There is certainly no better time for Leganes to face Real Madrid as the European champions are badly struggling in the league. Leganes will have to keep their opponents at bay if they want to make it into the semi-final as a loss in the first-leg will make it near-on impossible for them to pull it back. Real Madrid are still favourites to take the winning advantage in this first-leg.