Luka Modric is set to start, while Ferland Mendy should replace Marcelo when Real Madrid take on Eibar at the Ipurua on Saturday.
Real Madrid will be eager to build a winning momentum when they travel to the Basque country to face Eibar on Saturday evening. And, Zinedine Zidane has a fresh injury concern to deal with, in what has been a season of mounting fitness troubles for the visitors.
The goalkeeping department is not bothered by any injuries and amid an upsurge in form, Thibaut Courtois should retain his spot between the sticks. The defence will be forced into at least one change, with Marcelo picking up an injury in the 6-0 win over Galatasaray earlier this week.
? Our 19-man squad for the match against @SDEibarEN!#RMLiga | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/S7y93j91GJ
— Real Madrid C.F. ???? (@realmadriden) November 8, 2019
Marcelo will be replaced by Ferland Mendy, who came on for the Brazilian in the midweek fixture as well. Mendy will line up on the left side of the Real Madrid defence, with the rest of the backline set to remain unchanged. Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane will form the central defensive partnership, with Dani Carvajal being the right-back.
Up ahead in midfield, Luka Modric is expected to return to the starting lineup, after only being a second half substitute last time out. And, Modric was a big topic during Zidane’s pre-match press conference.
“I will never say that [saving Modric] about a player. Modric’s role is going to be important here. It’s true that he has had discomfort and irregularity, but Modric is Modric and when we have eight games after the break, we will see what we are going to do, but we need Modric.”
Modric ought to come into the side in place of Federico Valverde, with Toni Kroos and Casemiro holding on to their spots in the side. Vinicius Jr. is back in the travelling squad after being omitted from the squad against Galatasaray.
But, Vinicius is unlikely to get a place in the starting lineup, with Zidane expected keep faith in the attacking trio who served him so well on Wednesday. Rodrygo Goes and Eden Hazard will be the two wide men, with Karim Benzema leading the line for Real Madrid at Eibar.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Mendy; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Rodrygo, Benzema, Hazard
