Real Madrid team news: Mayoral preferred to Benzema for Deportivo clash

Karim Benzema has again been left on the bench by Real Madrid for their Liga clash with Deportivo, with Borja Mayoral preferred up front.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale start at Santiago Bernabeu, but the pair have not lined up alongside Benzema from the start for any game since April.

Isco and Marco Asensio are also named among the substitutes as Zinedine Zidane's side go in search of their first win in four Liga matches having slipped 19 points behind leaders Barcelona.

Mayoral — who spent last season on loan at Wolfsburg — has started just one previous match in the league so far this term, though he did find the net in September's win over Real Sociedad.

Elsewhere, Nacho partners Raphael Varane at the heart of the Madrid defence in the absence of the injured Sergio Ramos and Jesus Vallejo.

Madrid have not failed to win four successive Liga matches since 2009, but have a good record against Deportivo, having won 13 of their last 14 matches against the La Coruna outfit.

Real Madrid XI vs Deportivo: Navas; Carvajal, Nacho, Varane, Marcelo; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Bale, Ronaldo, Mayoral. Subs: Casilla, Theo, Kovacic, Isco, Asensio,, Vazquez, Benzema.

Madrid subs: Casilla, Theo Hernandez, Kovacic, Lucas Vazquez, Asensio, Isco, Benzema