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La Liga Preview: Real Madrid v Real Valladolid

The Portugal star missed real's UEFA Champions League clash against Galatasaray on Wednesday with a dead leg, but his absence was not felt as Carlo Ancelotti's side cruised to a 4-1 win despite the dismissal of Sergio Ramos.

Ronaldo remains a doubt for the weekend, while Ancelotti will not be able to call upon Sami Khedira (knee) or Fabio Coentrao (thigh).

Angel di Maria capped his first start since November 2 with a crisp finish from inside the penalty area for Madrid's third against the Turkish side, and is hopeful to have done enough to remain in Ancelotti's thoughts.

The Argentina winger said: "I'm happy because things are more complicated when you're not playing and you want to prove every time you play with the team that you’re there to help.

"We're in form and things are going well for us.

"We have to continue growing as a group. We have a big squad and it works out well whoever plays."

Striker Javi Guerra has scored seven goals in 14 outings this term, boosting Valladolid's goal difference and the 30-year-old refused to rule out his side's chances when they travel to the capital this weekend.

"We are going forward, wanting to do so well on a big stage," he told the club's official website.

"We are eager and motivated, we will play without fear and hopefully make Madrid uncomfortable.

"On paper it is clear that they are superior, we know that it will be very difficult, but in football nothing is impossible."

Valladolid last beat Madrid in November 2008, but excitement can be expected with the sides' last six meetings yielding a total of 26 goals.