Jan 17, 2016 at 3pm UK at ​Estadio Santiago Bernabeu
Real Madrid
5-1
Sporting GijonSporting Gijon
Bale (7'), Ronaldo (9', 18'), Benzema (12', 41')
Modric (57')
FT(HT: 5-0)
Lopez (62')
Guerrero (49')

Team News: Real Madrid bring in Raphael Varane for Sergio Ramos

Raphael Varane for Real Madrid on November 4, 2014
© Getty Images
Zinedine Zidane brings in Raphael Varane for the injured Sergio Ramos as Real Madrid host Sporting Gijon.

Zinedine Zidane has brought in Raphael Varane for the injured Sergio Ramos as Real Madrid host Sporting Gijon in La Liga this afternoon.

The defender's calf injury allows Varane to make his first league start since November - the 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Barcelona - in Zidane's only change from the side that defeated Deportivo La Coruna 5-0 in his first match in charge last time out.

James Rodriguez again starts on the bench as Zidane keeps faith in Isco alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema, while Dani Carvajal is again preferred to Danilo.

Mateo Kovacic returns from suspension and is named among the substitutes.

For the relegation-threatened visitors, Miguel Angel Guerrero is picked to lead the line ahead of Antonio Sanabria in one of four changes from manager Abelardo Fernandez.

There are two changes in midfield, as Sergio Alvarez and Jony come in for Omar Mascarell and Carlos Carmona, while Jorge Mere replaces Bernardo at centre-back.

Real Madrid: Navas; Marcelo, Pepe, Varane, Carvajal; Modric, Kroos; Bale, Isco, Ronaldo; Benzema
Subs: Casilla, James Rodriguez, Casemiro, Kovacic, Arbeloa, Jese, Danilo

Sporting Gijon: Cuellar; Lora, Luis, Mere, Isma; Sergio, Cases; Jony, Halilovic, Menendez; Guerrero
Subs: Alberto Garcia, Guitian, Carmona, Sanabria, Pablo Perez, Rachid, Ndi

Follow live coverage of the La Liga encounter with Sports Mole's text commentary here.

Karim Benzema of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring his team's opening goal during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Getafe CF at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 5, 2015
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona362745104297585
2Atletico MadridAtletico36274560164485
3Real Madrid362664105327384
4Villarreal361810844311364
5Athletic Bilbao361771255441158
6Celta Vigo36169115057-757
7Sevilla361410124943652
8Malaga361112133433145
9Valencia361111144444044
10Las PalmasLas Palmas36127174449-543
11Real Sociedad36119164247-542
12EibarEibar36119164656-1042
13Real Betis361011153150-1941
14Espanyol36117183667-3140
15Deportivo La CorunaDeportivo36718114359-1639
16Granada3699184265-2336
17Rayo Vallecano36811174870-2235
18Getafe3698193564-2935
19Sporting GijonSporting Gijon3698193761-2435
20Levante3678213466-3229