Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Braga - Champions League
- Real Madrid can secure their place in the Champions League round of 16 with a win on Wednesday night
- Madrid beat Braga 2-1 in Portugal two weeks ago
- Carlo Ancelotti has a few injury concerns for upcoming fixture
Real Madrid have the chance to confirm their place in the Champions League round of 16 when they host Braga on Wednesday night.
It's been an excellent start to their continental campaign as they attempt to dethrone Manchester City as Europe's supreme force. Like the Cityzens, Madrid have won their opening three group encounters and are in a commanding position in Group C.
Carlo Ancelotti, though, does have plenty to ponder after his side dropped points in La Liga on Sunday. There were no Jude Bellingham heroics on this occasion as Rayo Vallecano held out for a stalemate.
Madrid's goal-shy performance depicted their current dependence on the English phenom and Ancelotti will be wanting an alternative source to stand up for Los Blancos in the coming weeks.
Here's how the Spanish giants could line up against Braga on Wednesday night.
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Braga (4-3-1-2)
GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga - The Spaniard didn't have a save to make on Sunday and he'll be hoping for another quiet outing in midweek.
RB: Dani Carvajal - The longtime Madridista is enjoying an excellent campaign and won't be withdrawn from Ancelotti's XI anytime soon.
CB: Antonio Rudiger - Rudiger has been a mainstay at the heart of Madrid's backline and will rack up a ton of minutes this season should he stay injury-free.
CB: Nacho Fernandez - The skipper is not first-choice, but a switch at left-back could see Nacho return to the team.
LB: David Alaba - With Ferland Mendy unlikely to feature and Fran Garcia struggling to convince, Ancelotti could deploy the veteran defender at left-back for Braga's visit.
DM: Eduardo Camavinga - Ancelotti is going to have to lean on Camavinga until the end of the year after Aurelien Tchouameni broke his foot.
CM: Toni Kroos - The German midfielder enjoyed a cameo appearance on Sunday which suggests he'll almost certainly return to the XI in midweek.
CM: Federico Valverde - The three-lunged Uruguayan got through another 90 minutes at the weekend and simply doesn't do 'rests'.
AM: Jude Bellingham - There are doubts over the superstar's fitness due to a shoulder injury, but it'd be a surprise to see Bellingham left out of Wednesday's XI.
ST: Rodrygo - The Brazilian hasn't benefitted from Ancelotti's systematic change and it feels like he's going backwards after such a good season last time out. His campaign must ignite soon.
ST: Vinicius Junior - It's been a subdued start to the campaign for the Brazilian superstar, although he did notch a pair of assists in the reverse fixture.
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