Real Madrid will take on Espanyol as they welcome them to Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday looking to secure all three points from this La Liga contest. Los Blancos were held to a scoreless draw by Real Betis in their last outing, so the Madrid giants would be eager to grab a win in this home encounter.
Carlo Ancelotti would probably opt for the 4-3-3 formation and is expected to make a host of changes to the starting XI. Rodrygo could lead the charge on his own as Karim Benzema is rested while Luka Modric could play from the start in the central areas.
4-3-3 Real Madrid Predicted XI Vs Espanyol
Defence
Thibaut Courtois will operate in between the sticks for the Madrid outfit as he looks to secure a clean sheet this weekend. Eder Militao and Nacho Fernandes will function as Ancelotti’s centre-halves as they focus on stopping the opposition from creating too many chances on the counter.
Dani Carvajal will hope to give a good account of himself as the right-back while Eduardo Camavinga tries to put in a good showing as a makeshift left-back. Ancelotti will give both of them the license to get forward at every chance they get.
Antonio Rudiger will have to be content for a place on the bench as he offers cover for the defensive positions. However, both David Alaba and Ferland Mendy will be sidelined for this game with injuries.
Midfield
Toni Kroos, Aurelien Tchouameni and Luka Modric will play in the midfield for Ancelotti’s side as they look to dominate the game at the centre of the park and create enough chances to win this contest on the road. Kroos and Modric will be the main playmakers for the Madrid club in the opponent’s half
Dani Ceballos will make up the numbers on the bench and might come on to influence the game in the second half if needed.
Attack
Vinicius Junior will try to put in an influential performance on the left wing while Federico Valverde looks to work his socks off on the right flank.
Rodrygo will spearhead Ancelotti’s attack on his own up top. The Brazilian striker would be hungry to get his name on the scoresheet when he laces up to face off against the Espanyol defenders this weekend.
Marco Asensio and Eden Hazard will be named on the bench as they wait for their chance to impress in the final quarter of the contest if Real Madrid are in need of a goal by then.
