Real plan Ronaldo-powered attack against Betis

Zidane hopes star striker doesn’t miss any more games for La Liga champions

MADRID: Cristiano Ronaldo returns from a five-match ban for Real Madrid on Wednesday at home to Real Betis, whilst Atletico Madrid face a daunting trip to Athletic Bilbao.

"I hope it is for the last game this season," said Zinedine Zidane at the prospect of missing Ronaldo for Sunday's vital 3-1 win at Real Sociedad as the European champions got back to winning ways in La Liga.

The World Player of the Year's "persecution", as he described his ban, is over as he will be free to make his first league appearance of the season against Betis on Wednesday.

His absence was most keenly felt in profligate Madrid displays in dropping points at home to Valencia and Levante. Ronaldo showed Real what they were missing with a double against APOEL Nicosia last midweek.

But his enforced absence could yet benefit Madrid as it did last season when a delayed start to the campaign through injury meant a fresher Ronaldo hit top form in the final months of the season, scoring 10 goals in the Champions League from the quarter-finals on.

A trip to Bilbao is often a litmus test for whether Atletico can mount a serious title challenge.

It was after victory at San Mames in their title winning campaign in 2013-14 that Diego Simeone admitted for the first time his side could beat Madrid and Barca to La Liga.

Atletico's unbeaten start to the season will be severely tested over the next week with Sevilla and Chelsea also visiting the Wanda Metropolitano.

However, already trailing Barca by four points, Atletico can't ill afford that gap to grow if they are to maintain hope of a serious title charge.

Luis Zubeldia became La Liga's first managerial casualty of the season after just four games in charge of Alaves without a point or even a goal.