Real Madrid will look to extend their lead to nine points at the top of the La Liga table on Saturday when they travel to Estadio de la Cerámica to face Villarreal.
Los Blancos edged past Granada 1-0 at home last weekend, thanks to a second-half strike from Marco Asensio. The win on Sunday helped them bounce back from the disappointing Copa del Rey quarter-final defeat to Athletic Bilbao.
All eyes will now shift to the Villarreal fixture, as Carlo Ancelotti’s side will look to settle for nothing less than three points at the weekend.
Karim Benzema remains out having suffered a muscular injury before the international break, while Ferland Mendy is yet to return. Both the French players missed the win over Granada last weekend and it looks likely they will not be risked ahead of next week’s mouthwatering Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain. Mendy, though, has returned to full group training on Thursday.
Carlo Ancelotti has received a double boost after Real welcomed Casemiro and Lucas Vazquez back to training on Tuesday. But they suffered a fresh blow as Eden Hazard picked up a knock during training, putting his participation against Villarreal in big doubt.
Goalkeeper
Ancelotti has no reason to chop and change his goalkeeping department, which should see Thibaut Courtois start between the sticks against Villarreal in the Real Madrid lineup.
Defence
Eder Militao will form the centre-half partnership with David Alaba at the heart of Los Blancos’ backline. Both Militao and Alaba could be in for a stiff test from Villarreal’s quick and smart forwards.
Dani Carvajal is a guaranteed starter in the right-back position, whereas Marcelo will fill in on the other side of the defence in the Real Madrid lineup, as Ancelotti possibly looks to protect Ferland Mendy and keep the Frenchman fresh for next week’s big game against PSG.
Midfield
Casemiro’s return is a big boost for Real Madrid, and the Brazilian will be tasked with his usual role of protecting the backline. He will start alongside Toni Kroos and Luke Modric in what has been the world’s best midfield trio for some time now.
Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga will provide options from the bench.
Attack
With Karim Benzema still struggling slightly with a muscular injury, Ancelotti could stick with Isco as the false 9. The Spanish international can drop deep to get the ball, get into half-spaces behind the opposition’s defence and influence the game for the visitors.
Out wide in the Real Madrid lineup, Marco Asensio and Rodrygo appear favourites to start. Alongside Isco, the triumvirate will form the free-flowing attacking setup of Real Madrid, as it looks to unlock Villarreal’s defence at the weekend.
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