League leaders Real Madrid will be playing host to relegation-threatened RCD Mallorca at the Ciudad Real Madrid. Los Blancos will be determined to build on their impressive run of form since the Spanish top flight has resumed following the unprecedented break.
Zidane’s side have won three out of three fixtures and have deservingly earned their place at the top of the table over FC Barcelona. With the fixture list being demanding in terms of fitness and fatigue, it is expected that Los Blancos will make a couple of changes to the starting eleven when they take on 17th placed Mallorca at the Alfredo de Stefano stadium.
Luka Jovic, Lucas Vasquez, Isco, and Nacho are not even expected to make the squad for this fixture with all of them ruled out due to injury. Casemiro would be certainly missed in the Real Madrid midfield as the Brazilian is out suspended after amassing five yellow cards. Sergio Ramos is also likely to be rested for this clash following a minor blow to his knee against Real Sociedad.
Here’s how Real Madrid could take to the field for this relatively simple fixture:
Predicted 4-3-3 Real Madrid Lineup Vs RCD Mallorca
Defence
Thibaut Courtois would be taking charge between the sticks. The Belgian has been one of the best performing goalkeepers in Europe this season and will be gunning to add another clean sheet to his tally of 13 in the Primera Division this season. The right-back position does not have any sort of competition at Real Madrid at the moment, and Dani Carvajal will start undoubtedly.
Varane will take charge of proceedings in the centre of Madrid’s defence alongside Eder Militao. Ramos is likely to be rested for this fixture. Ferland Mendy is expected to start ahead of Marcelo for this fixture. The two left-backs have been wonderfully rotated by Zidane this season, and something similar is expected for this tie.
Midfield
Modric and Kroos will be the likely pairing in midfield in the absence of Casemiro. The duo’s ability to dictate play is well known, and they will be doing what they do best. The young midfielder, Federico Valverde will deputise for Casemiro. Valverde has been a bright spark this season and will want to further establish himself as a regular in this Los Blancos side for the years to come.
Attack
Marco Asensio would most likely be handed out his first competitive start in over 400 days after being conditioned well in the past two matches with cameo appearances. Karim Benzema will be occupying the number nine position without a doubt. The Frenchman has been in mesmerising form lately and will give Leo Messi a run for the golden boot in the remaining eight matches. Vinicius Junior will most certainly maintain his place in the starting eleven over Eden Hazard after showing unparalleled zeal and enthusiasm against La Real a fortnight ago.
Predicted Line-Up
Courtois
Carvajal – Varane – Militao – Mendy
Modric – Valverde – Kroos
Asensio – Benzema – Vinicius
