Real Madrid will look to continue their rich vein of form when they welcome RB Leipzig in a Champions League fixture at Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday evening.
The Los Blancos have won all their games so far in the ongoing campaign, including their Champions League opener against Celtic. The holders smashed Celtic 3-0 at Celtic Park to begin their European journey on a high note.
In midweek, Carlo Ancelotti will want his side to beat RB Leipzig and take firm control of Group F.
Real Madrid Team News
Real Madrid are set to be without the services of Karim Benzema, Eder Militao and Lucas Vazquez for the Champions League clash with RB Leipzig. Benzema and Militao suffered injuries against Celtic last week, while Vazquez picked up a thigh problem in the weekend’s league win over Mallorca.
Meanwhile, Alvaro Odriozola has been included in the squad after recovering from a knock.
Predicted Real Madrid Lineup vs RB Leipzig (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
There is no looking past Thibaut Courtois in goal for Real Madrid. The Belgian is one of the world’s best goalkeepers and deserves to keep his place in the team.
Defence
In front of Courtois, David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger will continue as the central defensive pairing in Eder Militao’s injury absence. Alaba and Rudiger, along with full-backs Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy, need to stay strong and tight at the back to keep RB Leipzig at bay in midweek.
Jesus Vallejo, Nacho Fernandez and Alvaro Odriozola will be defensive options on the bench.
Midfield
Luka Modric and Aurelien Tchouameni are expected to return to the first XI in midfield. Modric came off the bench to help Real Madrid register a 4-1 win over Mallorca at the weekend, but Tchouameni was an unused substitute.
Tchouameni will protect the backline from his no.6 role, with Modric and Toni Kroos providing the creative impetus and bite to the team from the middle of the park. The midfield troika must function well in tandem for Real to control the game against their German counterparts.
Attack
After Eden Hazard struggled to make an impact against Mallorca over the weekend, Ancelotti is expected to drop the Belgian from the first XI in the European fixture. This could see Rodrygo Goes lead the Real Madrid attack, with Fede Valverde and Vinicius Jr. providing energy, speed and flair from wide areas.
Rodrygo, Valverde and Vinicius Jr. will look to combine among themselves in the final third and create havoc against Leipzig. Hazard, Marco Asensio and Mariano Diaz could get involved in the latter stages of the game if required.