DID YOU KNOW?
* After Jose Mourinho saw his side win their first 14 home league games of the season, Real Madrid have failed to win either of their last two, and were of course beaten by Barcelona 2-0 at the Bernabeu in midweek.
* Los Blancos have, however, never dropped a point after taking the lead in a Liga match this season.
* Remarkably, the nine-time European champions have only conceded once from an effort from outside the box – Jonas got that goal in the 6-3 success over Valencia last weekend.
* On each of the last three occasions Real Madrid have met Zaragoza, they’ve picked up maximum points.
* The omens are not promising for a change in Zaragoza’s fortunes as they have lost five of their last six league matches.
* Indeed, none of their last 14 clashes against los Blancos have ended positively.
* Only once all season have Javier Aguirre’s side managed to win on the road – the worst record in the league.
* Zaragoza’s meagre tally of 32 league goals is dwarfed by Real Madrid’s figure of 79.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Real Madrid (4-3-3):
Casillas; Ramos, Albiol, Pepe, Nacho; Diarra, Granero; Canales, Kaka, Benzema
Although Jose Mourinho has said that he feels Real Madrid are out of the Champions League, he will still conserve his top players for Tuesday’s rematch with Barcelona. Sergio Ramos and Pepe are both banned for that encounter and will hence feature against Zaragoza, but the squad is likely to be formed largely by the players who trounced Valencia 6-3 last weekend.
Sami Khedira remains the big injury problem for los Blancos, while Fernando Gago misses out too.
Zaragoza (4-2-3-1):
Doblas; Diogo, Jarosik, Da Silva, Obradovic; Ponzio, Gabi; Boutahar, Lafita, Bertolo; Uche
Nicolas Bertolo will be given until the last minute to prove his fitness after picking up an injury in Zaragoza’s previous fixture against Almeria. It is reported that Javier Aguirre won’t take any chances with the midfielder and could keep him in store for next weekend’s clash against Osasuna if he’s not in peak condition.
Ander Herrera was dismissed last weekend and will subsequently miss this fixture. Kalu Uche and Ivan Obradovic both return from bans.
Prediction
Real Madrid will be positively itching to get back to winning ways after Wednesday night, and they have the perfect opportunity against Zaragoza, whose form has been lamentable of late. Jose Mourinho may only play his reserves, but they showed last weekend that they are more than capable.
Real Madrid 3-0 Zaragoza 
