Eduardo Camavinga is set to make his first start for Real Madrid while Rodrygo Goes should also feature when they take on Mallorca in La Liga.
Real Madrid will be aiming to move to the top of the La Liga standings when they play hosts to newly-promoted RCD Mallorca at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night.
Heading into the game, manager Carlo Ancelotti has not been handed any fresh injury blows, but Real Madrid continue to be without as many as six first-team players for the contest with Toni Kroos, Dani Carvajal, Dani Ceballos, Marcelo, Ferland Mendy and Gareth Bale all unavailable for selection.
Real Madrid vs Mallorca Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats
Speaking of the situation in his pre-match presser Ancelotti said: “It’s a season with a lot of games that place great demands on the players. We have to put up with this issue. Some players get injured, others return… We’ve got a pretty strong squad. It’s a shame because I’d like to have all of them available. This week Carvajal is out, but for our next game other players, like Mendy, Marcelo and Kroos, will be back”.
There are likely to be a few changes made to the lineup that pulled off a last-ditch win over Valencia at the weekend. In goal, however, Thibaut Courtois is the undisputed starter while Eder Militao and new signing David Alaba should form the centre-back pairing for Real Madrid against Mallorca.
In Carvajal’s absence, Lucas Vazquez ought to get the nod at right-back while there could be a change on the left side. Youngster Miguel Gutierrez should get a run out ahead of utility man Nacho on the night.
Casemiro has been an ever-present in the lineup for Los Blancos and could do with some rest. The Brazilian should drop to the bench against Mallorca, with Federico Valverde moving into the defensive midfield slot. With Luka Modric also recently returning from an injury, he, too, should be handed a rest by manager Ancelotti.
This should pave the way for the first start for new signing Eduardo Camavinga. The Frenchman has looked bright in his cameos since arriving and was praised by the manager ahead of the game. “He’s got everything you need to play for Real Madrid. He’s very young and is under no pressure at the moment because that’s what his personality is like. He’s very quick on the ball. He’s a complete midfielder and can play anywhere across the middle third”.
The third slot in the middle of the park should be taken up by Isco, who will be looking to prove a point as he pushes for more minutes on the field. Two of the three spots in the Real Madrid attack are pretty much sewn up as Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior are in terrific form and are certain starters.
Eden Hazard, however, could be moved to the bench, given his recent injury woes. In his place, Rodrygo Goes, who impressed in the win against Inter Milan last midweek, should start on the right.
Real Madrid Predicted XI: Courtois, Vazquez, Militao, Alaba, Gutierrez, Camavinga, Valverde, Isco, Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius.
