Real Madrid vs Almeria preview - Ancelotti seeking home comforts

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti is hoping for a Bernabeu boost as his side aims to strengthen their Primera Division title aspirations.

Los Blancos have got three league games in a row at home - starting against second-bottom Almeria on Saturday - as they bid to rein in city rivals Atletico, who have a three-point lead on them at the top of La Liga.

"Everything helps," the Italian boss admitted.

"We have a lot of games at home in the league and we need a good atmosphere and that everyone has the right attitude.

"This comes from the players. We are motivated because it is a long time since Real Madrid fought for all three competitions and we have a lot of belief. We hope that everyone has the same belief as the side has."

Real must do without star striker Cristiano Ronaldo, who will miss the Almeria game and possibly also the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona with a hamstring tear.

"Cristiano Ronaldo isn't available (against Almeria)," Ancelotti told reporters at a press conference on Friday.

"We tried to get him back for the (Champions League) second leg in Dortmund, but he felt it and is now receiving treatment. I don't know if he can play on Wednesday (in the cup final).

"We have to wait and see if he can recover. I have spoken with him. He's not happy because it is an important part of the season.

"If he isn't 100 per cent he won't play. He wanted to play in Dortmund, and we tried but he wasn't comfy and for this we let him continue his recovery.

"The knee problem has complicated the muscle problem. We think it came about in the first leg against Dortmund. He was a little injured and if he can play in the cup final it means it isn't a big injury."

Almeria defender Marco Torsiglieri knows his team will have to be at their very best when they head to the capital this weekend if they are to avoid a fourth-straight defeat.

"It's going to be a very difficult game and we hope to be up to the task, but we are fully focused on a different tournament, which is achieving survival," the centre-back told reporters.

Torsiglieri also believes his team, just one point from safety, have every chance of staying up.

"The truth is after losing three games in a row the points situation could have been a lot worse," he said.

"There are six games left and we still have our chances. We are one or two points away from three teams, so it's still very close, and it's wide open for everyone."

Ancelotti warned his players that Almeria would arrive in Madrid with plenty of motivation to take something from the game.

"We will be playing against a side fighting, like us, for an objective, and we need to be, as always, mentally and physically at our peak," he said.