Real Madrid Predicted Starting XI vs. Granada: Valverde over Modric

Real Madrid have to put the Club Brugge draw behind them and look forward to another game at the Santiago Bernabeu as they take on Granada in La Liga before the International Break.

Los Merengues will need to get all three points to continue their lead in the league while also releasing some pressure off their shoulders.

Thibaut Courtois:

When all is said and done, Thibaut Courtois is our starting goalkeeper this season and I highly doubt that Zidane will bench him for Areola against Granada. If the reports about his illness are true, then he could be rested but if the Belgian is fully fit then he will start on Saturday.

Dani Carvajal:

Zidane prefers Carvajal as the right-back and that has been clear from day one. Odriozola hasn’t gotten many opportunities but whenever he has, the Spaniard hasn’t been as impressive as he was during the beginning of last season. Carvajal so far is the better choice even though he has been prone to many mistakes so far this season.

Raphael Varane:

Will take blame for his performance against Club Brugge, but he did well overall and benching him against Granada will do more harm than good.

Sergio Ramos:

Expect our central defensive pairing to stay the same as it was in midweek. There is no reason to alter that at the moment and they’re our two strongest defenders in the squad.

Marcelo:

After returning from injury, he was expected to start regardless. Having said that, Nacho’s injury has made things even more certain with Marcelo being the only fit right-back at the moment.

Carlos Casemiro:

I think it’s safe to assume that Carlos Casemiro is always going to be the first name on the team sheet and this weekend will be no different. He definitely needs rest at some point, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see how things play out.

Toni Kroos:

Arguably our best player in midweek, the German Machine will be chosen to start yet again. Just like Casemiro, he is expected to rest soon but it may not be for a few weeks. The good news is that resting him won’t be as damaging as resting the Brazilian.

Federico Valverde:

Started last week against Atletico Madrid and after seeing Luka Modric’s display against Club Brugge, Zidane may want to look at giving Valverde an opportunity to start. It’s a risky decision as we all know how much Zidane counts on the “old-guard” but it may be a tad different this time. You never know, though, maybe Zidane starts the Uruguayan alongside Modric while resting Kroos. Anything is possible with the manager.

Gareth Bale:

Rested during midweek and is expected to make it back to the starting eleven against Granada. The Welshman has been one of our best players so far this season and has continued to prove a point to Zidane and the fans after an extremely unsettling summer transfer window.

Eden Hazard:

Eden Hazard still has not been able to impress and the only way we’ll be getting the best out of him is by giving him the opportunities and letting him get used to the team and the league in general. I see no reason why he should be benched in the upcoming La Liga fixture.

Karim Benzema:

Our starting striker and that won’t change against Granada. Of course, Luka Jovic needs time on the pitch but it’s extremely difficult to give him that when you look at Benzema’s form since the beginning of last season.