Leganes vs. Real Madrid lineups, expected starting 11, confirmed ...

Real Madrid face what can easily be considered a must-win on the road as they travel to meet Leganes on Sunday in a match with a surprising spotlight.

Los Blancos seemed to reverse their struggles just before the international break, walloping Osasuna 4-0 behind a Vinicius Jr. hat-trick, but they must keep that momentum going here in a match featured in its own timeslot and tabbed for network television in the United States.

Carlo Ancelotti is still dealing with significant injuries to his squad, but the international break was kind to Real Madrid for once as they picked up no new fitness concerns. Faced with a six-point deficit behind La Liga leaders Barcelona, Madrid cannot afford any more slips to widen the gap even further.

Leganes sit 14th in the table but seem to have found some semblance of form as they've won three of their last four matches across all competitions including two in the league to give them life in the relegation battle.

Leganes vs. Real Madrid lineups, predicted starting 11, team news

Leganes were unfortunate to lose two starters to injury just before the international break, as Peruvian midfielder Renato Tapia and journeyman left-back Enric Franquesa both went down.

The outlook is much better for Tapia, whose adductor injury shouldn't cost him too much time, but Franquesa is done for the season after tearing his ACL and will be covered by Javi Hernandez.

Leganes are also without winger Dani Raba, who was just getting into a flow with an assist in his first two starts before cropping up with a hamstring injury.

Leganes predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Dmitrovic (GK) — Altimira, S. Gonzalez, Nastasic, J. Hernandez — Chicco, Cisse — Cruz, Brasanac, El Haddadi — De la Fuente.

Injured: Tapia (adductor), Franquesa (ACL), Raba (hamstring).
Suspended: None.

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Real Madrid still have a significant list of injury absences, but they will likely get a few players back for this match. Chief amongst them is Aurelien Tchouameni, who has missed time with an ankle injury but returned to training in the middle of the international break and could be good to go.

This would allow Federico Valverde to drop back and deputize at right-back, with Madrid struggling for options there after the serious knee injury to Dani Carvajal and a recent muscle problem for Lucas Vazquez.

Another player lost for the season is Eder Militao, who once again tore his ACL right before the international break, while David Alaba is said to be returning in January from his knee injury.

Rodrygo is back in training ahead of schedule, which means he could make a return in this match but is unlikely to be ready for a starting role. The struggles of Ferland Mendy this season led Ancelotti to start Fran Garcia at left-back last time out against Osasuna, and his strong performance could earn more time.

Real Madrid predicted XI (4-3-3, right to left): Lunin (GK) — Valverde, R. Asencio, Rudiger, F. Garcia — Tchouameni, Bellingham, Camavinga — B. Diaz, Mbappe, Vinicius.

Injured: Carvajal (knee), Militao (ACL), Rodrygo (muscle), Vazquez (muscle), Alaba (ACL).
Suspended: None.

Leganes vs. Real Madrid live stream, TV channel

Here's how to watch this La Liga match across selected areas of the world's major regions, including in the United States where the game will be given the network television treatment, broadcast on ABC.

 TV channelStreamingUSAABC, ESPN DeportesFubo USA, ESPN+, WatchESPNCanada —TSN+UKPremier Sports 1LaLigaTVAustraliabeIN Sports 3beIN Sports ConnectIndia —GXR World