Real Madrid will be playing host to a 12th placed Valencia side at the Alfredo de Stefano on Matchday 23 of La Liga Santander. Real Madrid were humbled by a four-goal margin the last time these two sides met at Valencia’s den.
The Whites are crippled by injuries and will be missing as many as nine first-team players due to injury. Sergio Ramos, Eden Hazard, Rodrygo, Dani Carvajal, Lucas Vasquez, Alvaro Odriozola, Marcelo, Eder Militao and Federico Valverde will be all missing from the fold altogether.
Zinedine Zidane will be fielding a make-shift backline which is expected to comprise of Vinicius Jr at the right-back slot. Here’s how the Whites could take to the field on Sunday evening.
Real Madrid Predicted Line Up Against Valencia
Defence
Thibaut Courtois will start between the sticks for the Whites. The goalie did not have a single save to make against Getafe but will be certainly put to the task against Valencia who have shown their attacking abilities in the past. Vincius Jr played at the right-back spot for the last half an hour or so of the Getafe fixture.
He will most likely start here after the injury to Marcelo would in all likelihood not allow Zidane to field a three-man defence. Nacho Fernandez will partner Raphael Varane in the heart of Madrid’s defence. Ferland Mendy will be occupying the left-back position.
Midfield
Luka Modric will be retaining his place in the side alongside Casemiro. The return of Toni Kroos from suspension will be a massive blessing for Los Blancos.
The trident will have to work as a unit and provide cover for Vinicius on the right-hand side. Toni Kroos will want to take control of things in midfield as he has done on several occasions this season.
Attack
Marco Asensio will start on the right-hand side of the attack. The Spaniard was a joy to watch against Getafe as he zipped past the Getafe defenders on a couple of occasions. Karim Benzema will be leading the Madrid attack and occupying the number nine position.
The striker was amongst the goals in his side’s last outing and will want to add to his tally for the season. Isco will be occupying the last place in the line-up on the left-hand side. However, it is expected that the Spaniard will drift behind Benzema and play in a more free role. Mariano could feature in the game off the substitutes bench.
Real Madrid Predicted Line Up Against Valencia
