REAL MADRID

Claim a Free £10 bet!

Real Madrid defender Roberto Carlos has admitted his side face an uphill task if they want to win the Primera Liga.

Wanderley Luxemburgo's side will travel to Galicia with a weakened squad to take on Deportivo La Coruna knowing it could be a make-or-break weekend for their domestic ambitions.

Last Saturday's 2-0 home defeat to Athletic Bilbao saw Real once again fall seven points behind league leaders Barcelona and with the Catalans facing a theoretically straightforward visit to bottom-of-the-table Numancia, Madrid could be 10 points in arrears when they kick-off against Depor.

"Barcelona are ahead in the league and they are playing well but they are also having the luck that we are not having," Carlos said.

The Brazilian full-back also pointed to the fact Madrid's indifferent home form has hampered their title aspirations.

"The three games we have lost at home to Deportivo La Coruna, Sevilla and last weekend against Athletic mean we have lost nine points and that is too much to give away at home," he added.

Luxemburgo's men recovered from the Bilbao defeat by beating Juventus 1-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday at the Bernabeu in what was arguably their best performance of the season. That win, however, could mean Madrid focus all of their efforts on Europe rather than the Primera Liga.

"It is easier for us to win the Champions League because we have a team that is capable of reaching the final," said Carlos. We have a lot of experience in the competition."

The Brazilian is certain to return to the Madrid line-up against Depor after missing the Bilbao defeat through suspension.

However, defender Ivan Helguera is banned and will be replaced by Franciso Pavon, David Beckham is doubtful with flu, while Guti, Raul and Ronaldo are out with knocks they picked up against Juventus so Luxemburgo has called youngsters Juanfran and Jurado into his squad as cover.

The Madrid boss also has problems at right back where Michel Salgado will be out for a month after twisting his knee against Juventus.

Left-footed Raul Bravo replaced the Spanish international against the Italians and could get the nod but `B' team defender Miguel Palencia may be handed a debut instead. Deportivo, meanwhile, go into the game desperately needing a win to keep their hopes of a rapid return to Europe alive.

Javier Irureta's side had gone six games unbeaten to climb the Primera Liga table but slipped up 2-0 last weekend against an in-form Betis outfit. That defeat will probably see Jose Molina return in goal after Gustavo Munua's two errors cost the Galician side the game.

Irureta will again rely on Diego Tristan in attack, while Pedro Munitis will have extra motivation to complete a double for Depor against Madrid as it is the winger's former club.

Deportivo have had some indifferent home form recently - only winning one in their last four, and they have had 1-1 draws with both Bilbao and Numancia recently. Real Madrid have won their last four away trips and are playing out of their skins. They also defeated Juventus in the CL midweek. Therefore the odds of 5/4 for a Real Madrid win must be snapped up! Get ON!

Recommendation:	REAL MADRID @ 5/4 with BLUESQ
		[£20 Free Bet]

Quick! Claim a free bet with Betfair who are offering all new customers upto £20/or equivalent currency free! Sign up and Enter 'Football' in the 'Refer a friend code / promotion reference' then take a bet on anything you want! Claim this Offer Here!