Real Madrid will host Espanyol on Saturday, in what is expected to be a one-sided game between two sides at the opposite ends of the Primera Liga table.
Madrid have been in great form in the league lately, winning four of the last five league games.
The Spanish giants are level on points with arch-rivals Barcelona at the top of the La Liga table, and Zinedine Zidane’s men need to win this weekend to keep the pressure on the Blaugrana.
Madrid have their final Champions League group stage fixture on Wednesday night when they face Club Brugge in Belgium, but with nothing to play for, Zidane could rest a few players. This means that he will play a strong side for Saturday’s league game.
Real Madrid Team News
Nacho is back in training after missing several games due to knee injury. But it may be too soon for him to return to the Madrid side. James Rodriguez, Marco Asensio, and Lucas Vazquez will all miss the game, while Eden Hazard will also miss the game due to the injury he suffered against Paris Saint-Germain.
Raphaël Varane should return to the squad after missing last weekend’s game due to a minor injury.
Let’s take a look at the possible Real Madrid lineup for the game against Espanyol:
Goalkeeper
Alphonse Areola started in Real Madrid’s 2-1 win against Alaves last weekend, but Thibaut Courtois could return to the lineup for this game.
Defence
We could see the defensive partnership of Raphaël Varane and Sergio Ramos play against Espanyol, following Varane’s absence last time around.
Ferland Mendy could also return to the Real Madrid lineup to replace Marcelo at left-back, while Dani Carvajal should retain his place at right-back.
Midfield
Federico Valverde seems to have become an important part of this Real Madrid midfield and he should return to the Real Madrid lineup, after being a substitute last weekend. He should replace Luka Modric in midfield, and play alongside Casemiro and Toni Kroos.
Attack
Gareth Bale missed training this week in the lead-up to the Espanyol game and he could be replaced in the Madrid line up by Rodrygo.
Isco and Karim Benzema could retain their places in the Real Madrid team.
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