Cristiano Ronaldo is fresh from his latest feat after he won his fifth Ballon d’Or, taking him level with rival Lionel Messi.

However, Real Madrid are from keeping pace with Barcelona this season and cannot afford to drop points when they face Sevilla on Saturday.

Here are a few key questions ahead of the encounter.

WHO PLAYS AT THE BACK FOR REAL?

To say that Zinedine Zidane has selection problems in defence is an understatement, with skipper Sergio Ramos and right-back Dani Carvajal both suspended while Raphael Varane is also absent after being injured during the midweek Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund.

Further complicating matters is the additional absence of Casemiro, who might have normally been considered for one of the vacant centre back berths but is also suspended, leaving Zidane with little real option but to pair Nacho with youngster Jesus Vallejo in the centre of defence and recall another highly inexperienced player, Achraf Hakimi, at right-back.

Being without three of his first-choice back four is a far from ideal scenario as Zidane’s team look to overcome the defensive frailties which saw them concede two goals in each of their last three home games, and the ability of Nacho and Vallejo to quickly strike up an effective partnership will be crucial.

The hosts will miss the services of the suspended Ramos and Carvajal.

CAN RONALDO JUSTIFY HIS OWN HYPE?

After reacting to his latest Ballon d’Or award with a typical lack of modesty by declaring himself to be the greatest player in history, Cristiano Ronaldo will be under pressure to justify those self-congratulatory words by continuing his recent upturn in form.

Ronaldo has scored in his last two home games, with a penalty rebound in the nervy 3-2 win against Malaga being followed up by a first-half strike against Dortmund. But with just two goals in ten league outings this season there’s still a long way to go before he rediscovers his usual productivity and lives up to his own lofty billing.

He will again have to do without the assistance of Gareth Bale, who has been ruled out despite making a partial return to training, and the strange lack of synchronicity between Ronaldo and strike partner Karim Benzema – who did not complete any passes to each other in last week’s draw at Athletic Bilbao – will be placed under serious scrutiny, especially with a crucial Clasico showdown with Barcelona just a fortnight away.

Ronaldo has just two goal in 10 LaLiga games this season.

CAN SEVILLA LEAPFROG THE HOSTS INTO THE TOP FOUR?

Despite a decidedly mixed start to the season, Sevilla are heading into this weekend’s meeting at the Bernabeu level on points with the home team after gaining three consecutive league victories.

The Andalusian team will also be boosted by confirming their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League despite an unconvincing midweek draw at Maribor, and if they play to their potential they are certainly good enough to collect at least a point.

But consistency has been a major problem for Sevilla, who will be led by assistant coach Jose Ernesto Marcucci after manager Eduardo Berizzo recently underwent surgery for prostate cancer, and they can only hope that the recent wins are a sign of greater stability.

One player not part of the travelling party is powerful midfielder Steven Nzonzi, who has been left out after publicly admitting that he wants to leave the club in January, prompting speculation of a big-money move to Arsenal.

Sevilla’s recent winning run has seen them tie Real Madrid on points.