Last week's win against Sevilla helped their cause massively as the Valencian side sneaked out of the bottom three for the first time in months.

Anything from the Alfredo di Stefano will be seen as another victory for Fran Escriba's men.

Sergio Ramos returns to the Real Madrid backline for the first time since having a knee operation last month.

Midfielder Eden Hazard is one the bench - he has not played since the end of January due to injuries.

Midfielders Toni Kroos and Luka Modric have been rested with the second leg against Atalanta coming up this week.

Real XI: Courtois; Nacho, Ramos, Varane, Mendy, Casemiro, Valverde, Isco, Lucas Vazquez, Vinicius, Benzema.

Elche XI: Badia, Barragan, Verdu, Calvo, Mojica, Morente, Guti, Marcone, Fidel, Boye, Carrillo.

Image source, Rex Features

In almost a blink of an eye, Real Madrid have slipped down to third following successive draws - albeit one was against leaders Atletico Madrid.

Barcelona, who play Huesca on Monday, are on a charge having won their past three league games, while they have also advanced in the Copa del Rey. With their European adventure over, they will now fully focus on the domestic double.

Ronald Koeman's side are six points adrift of Atletico, whereas Real find themselves eight points shy. Zinedine Zidane will be feeling the heat and will be expected to win today's game against Elche and the next two games against Celta Vigo and Eibar before... before El Clasico!!

The beginning of the end starts now.