Liga Preview: Real Madrid-Albacete

David versus Goliath at the Bernabeu as Real Madrid welcome Albacete.

Goliath, though, is reeling from a comprehensive 4-1 defeat by an inspired Sevilla side. Carlos Queiroz's men will still be smarting from that, despite the two-week international break.

Raul, who had a particularly poor game in Sevilla, will have come back reinvigorated after his two goals helped Spain to a 5-1 aggregate win over Norway to book their place in Euro 2004. Ronaldo, too, was twice on target for Brazil against Uruguay in midweek and will be full of confidence.

Albacete languish down in 18th place in La Liga. And have a long, hard battle ahead of them to secure survival. They've yet to pick up a point away from home, and the odds are very much against them bucking that trend here. They'll look to frustrate the hosts, although conceding an early goal could see the floodgates open.

The omens aren't good. In their five previous visits to the Bernabeu, Albacete have picked up just one draw.

LATEST TEAM NEWS

Real Madrid: Roberto Carlos is still out injured, while Guti is banned after his red card against Sevilla. Otherwise the Merengues can field a full-strength eleven.

Albacete: Lawal and Siviero are the only absentees. The in-form Parri and Pablo will both start. Iván Diaz could replace Pablo Garci'a.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Real Madrid: Casillas, Salgado, Pavón, Helguera, Raúl Bravo, Beckham, Cambiasso, Figo, Raúl, Zidane, Ronaldo.

Albacete: Roa, Oscar Montiel, Pablo, Unai, Cristian Díaz, Iván Díaz, Viaud, Parri, Delporte, Pacheco, Aranda.