With injuries piling up, a derby against Atletico Madrid and home-and-away UEFA Champions League clash with Manchester City to come in the next week, Real Madrid could perhaps do without their short Copa del Rey trip to Leganes on Wednesday.
Los Blancos have only won this competition once since 2013/14 and lost 1-0 at Espanyol on Saturday.
They remain top of La Liga, but suffered another fitness setback as Antonio Rudiger limped off with a hamstring injury, which is expected to keep him out for around three weeks.
Leganes lost to another Madrid club on Friday, going down 1-0 to Rayo Vallecano, but were previously undefeated in five in all competitions.
Sitting 16th in the table, La Liga survival is their priority, but this is a rare chance to beat their famous neighbours.
Los Pepineros' two wins in the duo's 13 previous meetings both came in the Copa del Rey and after recently beating Atletico, they could repeat the trick in familiar fashion.
Leganes or draw - 7/4
Real won 3-0 at the Estadio Municipal Butarque in November, but not finishing in the top eight of the UEFA Champions League league phase means they have two further games to factor in, facing home and away ties against the Citizens over the next fortnight.
Saturday's Derbi Madrileno comes before the trip to the Eithad, while an awkward game at Osasuna precedes the return game at the Bernabeu.
It feels that Carlo Ancelotti's team could do without Wednesday's short trip to the suburbs and Leganes, who beat Almeria 3-2 in the round of 16, will be ready to push them and pressurise a likely central defensive partnership of midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni and youngster Raul Asencio.
Their previous wins over Real have both come in this competition and Borja Jimenez's side can build momentum ahead of Sunday's trip to relegation rivals Valencia.
With Ancelotti lacking numbers at the back and potentially prepared to rest some of his attacking stars, the hosts could emulate Celta Vigo.
The Galicians pushed Real to extra time last month before succumbing 5-2, but Real's injuries mean there might be more in this for Leganes.
Matija Nastasic anytime goalscorer - 22/1
A bit of a blast from the past and a real value shot, Real's defensive issues could leave them susceptible to set-pieces, bringing in the possibility of a goal for Matija Nastasic.
Leganes have lost four of their last five at home, but the anomaly in that run was January's 1-0 victory over Atleti.
Former Man City man Nastasic scored the only goal of that game, making the most of some lacklustre marking by Pablo Barrios before angling a powerful head past Jan Oblak.
Not only will Real have a makeshift defence, Ancelotti is also expected to give Thibaut Courtois the night off and continue using Andriy Lunin in the Copa.
That may potentially prompt further confusion at the back and Nastasic can take advantage.
Vinicius Junior to be booked - 9/2
The Butarque crowd will get behind their players, which could result in a red-hot atmosphere.
That brings cards into play and Vinicius Junior is a candidate, considering that in 2024/25, he has received 10 yellows and a red in all competitions.
The Brazilian has been unfairly and unacceptably targeted during his career, but also has a petulant streak and can frustrate referees with his antics.
Among the best players on the planet, he does have an edge and could receive an 11th caution of the campaign.
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Leganes - 6/1
Draw - 15/4
Real Madrid - 2/5
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.