Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Cadiz - La Liga
- Real Madrid host Cadiz in La Liga on Saturday afternoon
- Los Blancos can claim the Spanish title if results go their way this weekend
- Carlo Ancelotti may have one eye on the second leg of the Champions League semis
Real Madrid could finish the weekend as La Liga champions but must beat struggling Cadiz at the Santiago Bernabeu to make that happen.
The Spanish giants are currently top of the table with five games to play and will be crowned champions this Saturday if they beat Cadiz and Barcelona fail to claim all three points against Girona later in the day. However, regardless of the weekend's results, Real Madrid are destined for a 36th league title this term.
With a crucial Champions League semi-final second leg with Bayern Munich to come next Wednesday, Carlo Ancelotti will be tempted to make wholesale changes to his lineup this weekend. With the tie finely balanced following a 2-2 draw in the first leg, the Italian coach could take the opportunity to rest the likes of Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham.
Here's how Madrid could line up against Cadiz.
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Cadiz (4-2-3-1)
GK: Thibaut Courtois - Ancelotti hinted Courtois may get his first minutes this season against Cadiz this weekend, with Andriy Lunin potentially earning a rest ahead of the semi-final. It will be interesting to see how quickly the former Chelsea stopper reclaims his first-choice spot.
RB: Lucas Vazquez - After a clumsy performance against Bayern, stepping in for the suspended Dani Carvajal, Vazquez is unlikely to start the second leg. That means he could feature from the off against Cadiz.
CB: Eder Militao - Ancelotti has been patient with the Brazilian, who tore his ACL on the opening day of the season. However, he played all of the clash with Real Sociedad in La Liga last time out and should get some more minutes under his belt this weekend.
CB: Nacho Fernandez - With David Alaba still sidelined, there aren't too many options for Ancelotti at centre-back. Therefore, the experienced Nacho could start at the back having been taken off after 65 minutes against Bayern.
LB: Fran Garcia - With Ferland Mendy due a rest, Garcia is likely to start once again this Saturday. He performed admirably and kept a clean sheet against Real Sociedad in his most recent outing.
CM: Eduardo Camavinga - There were some who expected Aurelien Tchouameni to start at centre-back against Bayern midweek, but the Frenchman was only a substitute. He has since suffered an injury scare and won't be risked against Cadiz, with compatriot Camavinga more than capable of controlling midfield in his absence.
CM: Luka Modric - The veteran is not a regular starter these days but this is exactly the kind of fixture where he's guaranteed a significant run out. The Madrid legend is still capable of proving a match-winner.
RM: Arda Guler - Scored only his second league goal of the season during the 1-0 win over Real Sociedad, a strike that helped his side to an important win. He stood out in San Sebastian and has earned another start this weekend as he looks to get his Madrid career going.
AM: Brahim Diaz - Not his most fruitful display against Real Sociedad and couldn't have much of an impact from the bench against Bayern. However, his record of five goals and three assists in 15 La Liga starts isn't too bad.
LM: Dani Ceballos - Put in a pretty poor performance on the left-hand side of the attack against Real Sociedad, but Ancelotti will be keen to give the likes of Rodrygo, Vinicius and Bellingham a rest at any cost.
ST: Joselu - The much-maligned centre-forward has still provided eight goals in the league this season and will be hoping to pour misery on a Cadiz side currently sat in 18th.