When Real Madrid plays Athletic Club at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday, they hope to get back to eight points ahead at the top of the La Liga table. Visitors have been in great shape for a few months, which has helped them move into the top four. It won’t be easy for Los Blancos.

Speaking on Saturday, Carlo Ancelotti revealed that Eder Militao would be returning to Real Madrid for this game. The Brazilian defender won’t be able to play until the end of the season because he hurt his ACL in August. They don’t think Militao will start, though. They think Aurelien Tchouameni will play with Antonio Rudiger in the middle of the defense instead.

Now that Jude Bellingham is back from his ban, he will start again instead of Vinicius Junior, who is also suspended for this game. That’s likely the only change Ancelotti will make from the win over Osasuna two weeks ago.

Since 2005, Athletic has not won at the Bernabeu, which is a very bad record. Nico Williams is hurt and won’t be able to play, which doesn’t help their hopes of ending that run either. Alex Berenguer will take his place, and Julen Agirrezabala is said to start in goal instead of Unai Simon, possibly because of next weekend’s Copa del Rey final.

The first 90 minutes should be very interesting in Madrid. Real Madrid is the clear favorite, and they should win this game. However, don’t count out Athletic Club, even though their record away from home isn’t nearly as good as their record at San Mames.