Primera Division toppers, Real Madrid, will be making the trip to Catalan territory to take on Espanyol. The team from Barcelona are in miserable shape and are destined to take the drop to the Segunda Division at the end of the present season.
Zidane will be pleased with the way his planning has worked out so far post the unprecedented break. Los Blancos had bridged a two-point lead and are now behind Barca by a point(having played a game less), on course to win their 34th La Liga title. A string of changes is expected to be made to the side which emerged victorious at home against Mallorca.
The gaffer will be heading into the fixture without the services of Nacho, Luka Jovic, and Lucas Vasquez, who are all nursing injuries. Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric are both suspended from this fixture after picking up cautions in their last outing.
Here’s how Real Madrid are expected to line-up in the next game.
Real Madrid Predicted Line-Up Vs Espanyol
Defence
Courtois would be taking command in goal as the Belgian would be gunning for his 15th clean sheet this season. The Belgian goalie is one of the main reasons for Real’s success this season. Carvajal will be starting at his natural right-back position with Alvaro Odriozola loaned out to Bayern Munich.
Militao is expected to deputise in place of Ramos, who is suspended from this fixture. The captain has been amongst the goals lately apart from keeping things tight in defence and will be a huge miss for the Whites. Varane will partner Militao in the heart of Real Madrid’s defence. Marcelo is expected to get the nod for this fixture ahead of French defender, Ferland Mendy.
Midfield
Isco is set to make his return to the starting eleven after making a cameo appearance at the Alfredo de Stefano Stadium against Mallorca last matchday. Casemiro is also set to get back in action after serving his one-match suspension. Toni Kroos will be starting in the final remaining position in midfield and will undoubtedly be keen on dictating things in the centre of the park as he always does.
Attack
Asensio will be starting on the left after leaving an impact in his initial few minutes post a year-long injury lay off. Karim Benzema, who has been in red hot form lately, will be starting in the number nine position. Vinicius Junior is expected to retain his place in the side after getting onto the scoresheet against Mallorca.
Starting Eleven
Courtois
Carvajal – Militao – Ramos – Marcelo
Isco – Casemiro – Kroos
Asensio – Benzema – Vinicius
