MADRID, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid plays their last game before the World Cup finals at home to Cadiz on Thursday, looking to put an end to a worrying run of form before several key players fly off to Qatar.

Madrid goes into the game after a 3-2 defeat away to Rayo Vallecano and a 1-1 draw at home to Girona, in games where some players started to look a bit tired after an intense start to the season.

The imminent World Cup could also be a factor in the back of some players' minds, as even a minor muscle injury now could put their place in Qatar in peril. Antonio Rudiger is out injured, while Karim Benzema has missed the last three matches with a minor problem and could well miss out again on Thursday, with Carlo Ancelotti unwilling to risk a key player.

Barcelona's 2-1 win away to Osasuna on Tuesday night gave them a five-point lead at the top of LaLiga and means that Real Madrid has to take all three points to keep the gap down and to avoid a long period of reflection until their next domestic match on New Year's Eve.

Cadiz is in the relegation zone but is improving after a dreadful start this season, after beating Atletico Madrid 3-2 and drawing 0-0 in Getafe in the last two games.

Thursday's other matches see Rayo Vallecano, fresh from an impressive win against Real Madrid, at home to meet Celta Vigo.

Celta is one step away from the relegation zone after Carlos Carvalho's debut as coach ended in a 2-1 home defeat to Osasuna and once again it looks as if their survival will rely on the talismanic striker, Iago Aspas.

Meanwhile, Rayo coach Andoni Iraola will watch from the stands after his red card against Real Madrid.

Finally, Betis will be without suspended duo Borja Iglesias and Nabil Fekir for their visit to Valencia, after the duo was both sent off in Sunday's feisty Seville derby.

A win for Betis means it will spend the World Cup in Champions League positions and it will be hopeful given that Valencia is without injured first-choice central defenders, Gabriel Paulista and Mouctar Diakhaby and midfielder Ilaix Moriba. Enditem

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