Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Espanyol - La Liga
By Euan Burns
Real Madrid are in La Liga action again on Saturday as they welcome Espanyol to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. It's a game Los Blancos must win if they are to retain any real hope of winning the title.
They are now nine points behind Barcelona and the Blaugrana have no European football to contend with after being knocked out of the Europa League by Manchester United. Real Madrid on the other hand will be in Champions League action next week against Liverpool.
Here's the team Carlo Ancelotti may call upon to try to get the better of Espanyol while keeping an eye on the second Liverpool leg, even if they're already 5-2 up.
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Espanyol (4-3-3)
GK: Thibaut Courtois - The Belgian will hope for a quiet day between the sticks as the forwards kill the game nice and early.
RB: Dani Carvajal - A constant in the Real Madrid starting eleven, Carvajal will be trying to aid the attack as much as possible in the potential absence of Karim Benzema.
CB: Eder Militao - The Brazilian still has some flaws but there is every reason to think he can be at the heart of the Real Madrid defence for many years.
CB: Nacho Fernandez - Nacho will likely be brought into the centre of defence in the absence of the injured Antonio Rudiger. His versatility has been crucial for Ancelotti at times this season.
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LB: Eduardo Camavinga - The absence of David Alaba and Ferland Mendy means a left-back is needed, but Nacho has to cover in the middle. France international Camavinga, another player becoming famed for his versatility, has previously played out wide and may need to do so here.
CM: Luka Modric - Returning from a one-match suspension, Modric is very well-versed at helping his team get a game wrapped up early with minimal dramas.
CM: Aurelien Tchouameni - Some feel the French midfielder is underperforming this season but he is slowly becoming one of the better midfielders in Europe as he learns from Modric and Toni Kroos.
CM: Toni Kroos - This is a game where Tchouameni can learn from both at once. Kroos will be starting in the midfield as Fede Valverde has been pushed further forward.
RW: Fede Valverde - Another player being shuffled around due to the expected absence of Benzema. Valverde has been used in a forward role fairly often this season.
ST: Rodrygo - The Brazilian forward will lead the line which will make the Real Madrid attack a bit more positionally fluid than it would normally be.
LW: Vinicius Junior - Real Madrid's primary threat right now, Vinicius needs to ensure he does all he can to help his side close the gap on league leaders Barça, especially if Benzema is rested.