Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti says he will not rotate in Wednesday's La Liga game at home to Sevilla, even with Saturday's crunch game at Atletico Madrid looming.
League leaders Madrid face fourth-placed Sevilla at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in a game that was initially postponed due to the Ancelotti's side's successful trip to the World Club Cup in December.
The rescheduled game is now being played just three days before Madrid face an Atletico side who are currently in third spot but have won three and drawn two of their five games against Real across all competitions in 2014-15 so far.
James Rodriguez and Marcelo are both a booking away from a suspension that would rule them out of the meeting with Atletico but, asked whether the pair would be rested against Sevilla to ensure their availability for the "derbi," Ancelotti said his focus was on winning Wednesday's match.
"Tomorrow is the most important game, not the 'derbi','" Ancelotti said. "We have a chance to pick up points on our opponents, so it is the most important. So I will put out the best team possible."
Sevilla travel to the Bernabeu having won four of their last five games in La Liga, but having been well beaten at Valencia, Atletico and Barcelona so far this term. Ancelotti said Unai Emery's side could be dangerous if Madrid were not careful.
"Sevilla are a dangerous team, with quality, well organised, having a very good season," he said. "They are a team which competes a lot, with players who can play on the counter-attack, who are very quick. They also have players who are good on the ball in tight spaces, so it will be a risky game for us if we are not at our best."
Madrid have conceded early goals in three recent matches -- against Atletico in the Copa del Rey, and against Cordoba and Real Sociedad in La Liga -- and Ancelotti said his team's concentration level must from now on be right straight from the kick-off.
"It is a problem about the attitude at the start of games," he said. "We must improve our concentration. We must understand that, and the players have done so, so tomorrow it will different than the last three games. We have always reacted well, but it is better to start with a different rhythm and concentration than our last three games."
Asked if had considered that if his side win their next two games they will have a 10-point gap over reigning champions Atletico, and at least four over second-placed Barcelona, Ancelotti said: "It will be like last season -- the three teams will be fighting until the last game.
"It is true that an advantage now could be good, but nothing will be decided until the end of the season."
Ancelotti would not reveal whether Asier Illarramendi or Sami Khedira were likely to play against Sevilla in midfield, but did say that January signing Lucas Silva would be in his match squad for the first time.
"Lucas Silva will be in the squad tomorrow, on the bench," he said. "If we need him he will play."