Real Madrid will aim to win the Group F of the Champions League when they host Scottish champions Celtic at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.
Los Blancos have picked up 10 points from five games in the Champions League. They were beaten 3-2 by RB Leipzig away in their penultimate group-stage fixture last week, and it was followed by a 1-1 draw with Girona in La Liga on Sunday.
As a result, Carlo Ancelotti will expect a strong response from his boys against Celtic, who have been eliminated from Europe after collecting just two points from five matches.
Real Madrid Team News
Aurelien Tchouameni was left out of the matchday squad against Girona as a precaution from a muscular overload. The decision to not risk him came after the French midfielder wasn’t feeling 100% ahead of the La Liga fixture at the weekend; however, he is expected to be fit in time to face Celtic.
Carlo Ancelotti was hopeful of Karim Benzema returning to the squad against Girona after missing the last couple of games with muscle fatigue, but that didn’t happen and now he is deemed doubtful for the final Champions League group-stage fixture.
Predicted Real Madrid Lineup vs Celtic (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Thibaut Courtois is the undisputable first-choice goalkeeper for Real Madrid and should start against Celtic in midweek.
Defence
One change is expected from the Real Madrid defence that started in the 1-1 draw with Girona; Antonio Rudiger could make way for Eder Militao in the Real Madrid lineup, who has been a regular in central defence alongside David Alaba this season.
Dani Carvajal is a guaranteed starter at right-back while Ferland Mendy hopes to enjoy a productive night from the left-back position in the Real Madrid lineup. Both the full-backs will have the license to go forward and help the team in attack whilst staying defensively turned on.
Midfield
Aurelien Tchouameni missed the game against Girona with muscle overload but is expected to be fit in time for Real’s final Champions League group-stage encounter. The Frenchman has quickly become one of Real’s most important players following his summer move from AS Monaco, seamlessly replacing Casemiro at the base of the midfield.
With Tchouameni reprising his No.6 role in the Real Madrid lineup, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric should get the freedom to play their natural game and help Real dominate possession against Celtic.
Dani Ceballos, Eduardo Camavinga and Marco Asensio will offer cover for midfield positions.
Attack
With Karim Benzema likely to miss out again, Rodrygo Goes becomes a natural option to operate through the middle as the false 9 in the Real Madrid lineup, with Federico Valverde and Vinicius Jr. providing pace, flair and energy from wide areas.
Ancelotti could bring the likes of Eden Hazard and Mariano Diaz off the bench in the latter stages of the game when Real need fresh legs in attack.
