Real Madrid will be hoping to record their sixth successive victory when they host Athletic Bilbao on Sunday night.

Last season's Champions League winners made hard work of getting past Ludogorets Razgrad in Europe in midweek, but the success in Bulgaria ensured that they continued their recovery from a poor start to the campaign.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti is likely to make a couple of changes to his starting lineup, with Toni Kroos and Karim Benzema in line to replace Asier Illarramendi and Javier Hernandez.

Defensive duo Pepe and Fabio Coentrao are unlikely to be available for the match at the Bernabeu.

Athletic Bilbao are in need of a return to form after failing to register a victory throughout September.

Their 2-1 loss to BATE Borisov in midweek made it no wins in six, and the club are struggling in both La Liga and the Champions League.

Oscar de Marcos and Markel Susaeta are pushing for starts in Madrid after being introduced at half time in Belarus.

Recent form

Real Madrid: WWWWW

Athletic Bilbao: DLLDL

Possible starting lineups

Real Madrid: Casillas; Arbeloa, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Isco, Modric; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo

Athletic Bilbao: Iraizoz; Iraola, San Jose, Laporte, Balenziaga; Iturraspe, Rico, Benat, Munian, De Marcos; Aduriz

Sports Mole says: 4-0