Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has made six changes to his side for tonight's La Liga clash with Athletic Bilbao.

Madrid will be looking to take advantage of Barcelona's defeat to Valencia yesterday, and Ancelotti's selection has reflected that desire to win as he has restored the likes of Karim Benzema, Pepe and Marcelo to the starting XI.

Diego Lopez, Luka Modric and Daniel Carvajal also return to the team after they were left out of the midweek victory over Espanyol in the Copa del Rey.

Iker Casillas, Alvaro Arbeloa, Fabio Coentrao, Nacho, Asier Illarramendi and Isco are the men to make way for Madrid, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Jese Rodriguez remaining up front.

Bilbao, meanwhile, make just three changes to the side who were knocked out of the cup by Atletico Madrid on Wednesday as they aim to close the gap on the top three.

Gorka Iraizoz, Carlos Gurpegi and Oscar de Marcos return to the starting lineup in place of Iago, Andoni Iraola and Mikel San Jose.

Athletic Bilbao: Iraizoz; De Marcos, Gurpegi, Laporte, Balenziaga; Iturraspe, Mikel Rico, Susaeta, Herrera, Muniain; Aduriz
Subs: San Jose, Benat, Kike Sola, Ibai, Iago, Iraola, Ekiza

Real Madrid: Diego López; Pepe, Ramos, Carvajal, Marcelo; Xabi Alonso, Modric, Di María; Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Jese
Subs: Casillas, Varane, Coentrão, Arbeloa, Morata, Isco, Illarramendi