Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale have not been included in the 18-man-squad to face Espanyol, due to illness and a hip injury respectively.
Lucas Vazquez and Marco Asensio will occupy the attacking roles alongside Karim Benzema. Toni Kroos, too, has been named as a substitute, with manager Zinedine Zidane giving James Rodriguez a rare start.
Defensively, Raphael Varane starts on the bench with Pepe set to partner Sergio Ramos at centre-back. Carvajal and Marcelo will occupy start in the full-back positions and Kiko Casilla will continue in goal for Los Blancos.
⚽️?? #RMLiga
Here’s our starting line-up for tonight’s match against @RCDEspanyol!#HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/2I4gxzn1YZ— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) September 18, 2016
For Espanyol, Diego Lopez starts in goal with a centre-back pairing of David Lopez and Oscar Duarte ahead of him. In midfield, Papakouli Diop and Marc Roca will form a double pivot with Leo Baptistao leading the line.
XI RCD Espanyol: Diego López; J. López, D. López, O.Duarte, V. Sánchez, Hernán, Diop, Marc Roca, Piatti, Baptistao y Gerard.
¡A POR ELLOS!
— Los otros 18 (@Losotros18) September 18, 2016
