Jose Mourinho will be without the suspended Alvaro Arbeloa who failed in his attempt to get his one-match ban overturned. Fabio Coentrao is expected to deputise at right-back. Pepe is a doubt with a thigh strain although the Portuguese defender is expected to pass a late fitness test.

Sami Khedira is definitely ruled out of the game after spraining his ankle last week against Malaga so Lassana Diarra is in line to keep his place in the Madrid starting line-up.

Jose Callejon should retain his place in the first XI due to Angel di Maria picking up a fresh injury in training.

Barcelona will be without Seydou Keita, who is away at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations while Andreu Fontas looks unlikely to appear again this season after picking up a serious knee injury in the Copa del Rey win over Osasuna last week.

Pedro also picked up a knock in the game and appears to have been ruled out while Pep Guardiola will be without David Villa and Ibrahim Afellay who have long-term injuries.

Dani Alves looks set to return to the starting line-up while Cesc Fabregas is expected to continue his role upfront alongside Lionel Messi and Alexis Sanchez. Jose Pinto will start the game in goal, with the experienced goalkeeper continuing his run in the domestic cup.

（Goal.com）

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Copa del Rey Preview: Real Madrid – Barcelona is a post from: Portugal Football Soccer News

Lassana Diarra should come in to the right-back position with Sami Khedira partnering Xabi Alonso in midfield. Angel Di Maria and Ricardo Carvalho are injured and there are some doubts over the fitness of Alvaro Arbeloa and Fabio Coentrao, who missed the win over Granada.

Elsewhere, in-form striker Karim Benzema looks set to overcome a minor injury picked up against Granada at the weekend and is likely to start on Tuesday.

Joaquin is out of contention as the winger has been ruled out for a month with a strained muscle. Julio Baptista will also miss the match for Malaga.

（Goal.com）

Malaga – Real Madrid Preview is a post from: Portugal Football Soccer News