Real Madrid
Real Madrid will be witness a new era as Santiago Solari will take charge of the team in La Liga for the first time on Saturday when Los Blancos welcome high-flying Real Valladolid to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Following on from Sunday's humiliation at the hands of Barcelona in the Clasico, Julen Lopetegui was axed as manager, with Solari stepping in on a temporary basis. He took charge of his first fixture on Wednesday as Madrid won 4-0 away at Melilla in the Copa del Rey.
This encounter is set to be a much tougher affair, though, as Valladolid have shocked plenty this season and sit in sixth in the La Liga table heading into the weekend's action. It's a huge occasion for Solari, and he'll hope to make a strong early impression as Madrid boss.
Although it was anticipated that Lopetegui would be losing his job as Real Madrid manager following the Clasico on Sunday, few anticipated the final chapter of his tenure would be quite as humiliating.
Barcelona were the dominant force for long spells of their 5-1 win, as Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho tore into their opponents. Madrid's team, full of winners and players renowned for their big-game mentality, simply crumbled in the latter stages.
It means there's a big job to do for Solari, and while there are a number of names who continue to be linked with the role, he'll be hoping to make an impression while he can.
It is a tremendous opportunity for the former Real Madrid player. Solari has spent two seasons with Real Madrid Castilla, so he has experience as a coach, albeit at a lesser level.
Solari will be hoping for some senior players to step up and help the team pull out of this crisis; they sit in ninth heading into the La Liga weekend, seven points back on leaders Barcelona.
After strong starts to the season, both Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale have lost their spark in the final third. Additionally, the balance in midfield has been off, and Sergio Ramos is struggling to lead by example in defence. If there are issues present again on Saturday, then Valladolid have shown they are capable of capitalising.
Valladolid's issue early in the campaign has been goalscoring, with just nine netted in La Liga so far this season. They will need to be much more clinical to get something out of this one.
Given what went on in their last La Liga match and the fact there will be a new coach in the dugout on Saturday, there's potential for this to be a nervy afternoon for the Madridistas. Still, they have enough quality to eventually grind down their durable opponents.
Real Valladolid
Valladolid are back in La Liga after securing promotion via the Segunda Division playoffs last term. They spent four seasons in the Segunda Division following their relegation at the end of the 2013-14 campaign, but are now back in the top tier, and have made a very strong start to the season.
Sergio Gonzalez's team were winless in their first five matches of the 2018-19 campaign, drawing three times and suffering two defeats. There were plenty of positive signs, however, and they managed to put four straight victories on the board between September 27 and October 21.
Indeed, a 2-1 success over Levante was followed by three straight 1-0 wins over Villarreal, Huesca and Real Betis. Valladolid also played out a 1-1 draw with Espanyol last time out to leave themselves in sixth spot in the table.
Valladolid have incredibly only scored nine times in La Liga this season, which is the worst record in the top half of the table. They have, however, only shipped seven down the other end, which is the second-best defensive record in the entire division behind Atletico Madrid.
Valladolid are also unbeaten on their travels in La Liga this season, and have conceded just three times on the road, which is a very impressive record at this stage. Madrid have not exactly been full of goals this term, which should make for an interesting match at the Bernabeu on Saturday afternoon.
The White and Violets have not finished in the top half of La Liga since the 1999-2000 season. There is a long way to go this term, but another positive result this weekend would leave the supporters dreaming.
That said, two of Valladolid's next three are away to Madrid and Sevilla, and their lack of goals will be a concern as they prepare to visit two of the most difficult grounds in Spain's top flight.
Recent form (all competitions):
Real Madrid: LLLWLW
Real Valladolid: WWWWDW
Team News
Dani Carvajal, Raphael Varane, Jesus Vallejo, Marcelo and Mariano Diaz are all on the sidelines for Madrid. There is a concern that Marcelo could be out for several weeks with a hamstring problem, and his injury has come at the worst possible time when considering Madrid's problems in that area of the field.
The likes of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Casemiro, Isco and Gareth Bale were left out of the Copa del Rey clash with Melilla on Wednesday night, but will all return to the XI for this match.
Karim Benzema was on the scoresheet against the Segunda B outfit and will keep his spot in the final third, while Sergio Reguilon, who debuted in the Copa del Rey, is expected to feature at left-back.
That said, Alvaro Odriozola could be switched to left-back, allowing Lucas Vazquez to come in on the right. As for Valladolid, head coach Gonzalez will also make changes following Wednesday's 2-1 win at Mallorca in the Copa del Rey.
Keko and Duje Cop remain on the sidelines with foot and muscular injuries respectively, but Jordi Masip, Enes Unal and Leonardo Suarez will be among those to return to the side.
Daniele Verde scored a brace in Valladolid's mid-week victory over Mallorca, meanwhile, and the 22-year-old will hoping to be named in the XI.
Real Madrid possible starting lineup: Courtois; Odriozola, Nacho, Ramos, Reguilon; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Isco, Benzema, Bale
Real Valladolid possible starting lineup: Masip; Martinez, Calero, Olivas, Moyano; Villa, Alcarez, Herrero, Regal; L Suarez, Unal
Head To Head
Madrid recorded a 4-0 win when these two teams last locked horns at the Bernabeu in November 2013. That said, the pair played out a 1-1 draw in their last La Liga fixture at the home of Valladolid.
Los Blancos have scored four times in each of their last three home La Liga games with Valladolid, and also put seven past the White and Violets during the 2007-08 campaign.

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