Liga Preview: Real Zaragoza v Real Madrid

Any result at all will be a bonus for struggling Zaragoza as Real Madrid roll into town.

Paco Flores' newly promoted side have not found it easy to readjust to Primeira Liga life despite the fact that they've only been away for one season.

Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Malaga saw Zaragoza fall to 16th place, although they can expect to climb in the coming weeks as their fixture list does not look all that demanding.

The last time these sides met at La Romareda, Zaragoza ran out surprise 2-1 winners.

Real Madrid are now just two points from the top of the table following Saturday's 3-1 defeat of Racing Santander. The visit of Luis Alcaraz's men was always going to be tricky and it took until the 79th minute for Raul to give Real a 2-1 lead. The Spanish international then doubled up to put the result beyond doubt.

Midfielder Guti was booed by certain sections of the Bernabeu crowd after coming on as a second-half substitute. The player reportedly made a gesture to the fans, which he later apologised for.

Guti has yet to sign a new contract with the club.

At the beginning of the season many felt that Real Madrid would be ruthlessly exposed at the back due to their lack of cover in that position. But coach Carlos Queiroz has made good use of the limited tools available to him. Raul Bravo has been converted from a left-back into a central defender, and has so far looked comfortable in his new position. Meanwhile, Ivan Helguera has stepped back into his old holding role in midfield with the minimum of fuss. Up to now, Claude Makelele has not been missed.

LATEST TEAM NEWS

Real Zaragoza: Flores is set to go with the 4-2-3-1 formation that has so far brought the more positive results this season. Gabriel Milito faces the club he so nearly joined in the summer and will be eager to impress. The Merengues decided that his knee was not up to the rigors of Liga life. Savio, meanwhile, faces his former club.

Real Madrid: David Beckham misses out as he is still suffering from a hamstring injury. Guti is set to step into the midfield, and may be partnered by Esteban Cambiasso. The pairing was tested out in training, and it could be that Helguera –who didn't have a good game against Racing- steps back into the centre of defence at the expense of Raul Bravo.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Zaragoza: Láinez, Rebosio, Alvaro, Milito, Toledo, Ponzio, Soriano, Galletti, Corona, Savio, Villa.

Real Madrid: Casillas, Michel Salgado, Pavón, Raúl Bravo or Helguera, Roberto Carlos, Cambiasso or Helguera, Guti, Figo, Raúl, Zidane, Ronaldo.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Gabriel Milito (Real Zaragoza): the Argentine will be desperate to prove his worth against the side that rejected him in the summer.

Ronaldo (Real Madrid): the Brazilian has gone two games without scoring. Shock, horror! Expect him to buck the trend here.