Real Madrid Predicted XI vs. Real Valladolid: Unleashing the attacking fullbacks

Real Madrid return to home soil after two consecutive matches on the road.

Real Madrid are back home after two matches on the road which saw them draw against Real Sociedad and get all three points when visiting Real Betis. With Zinedine Zidane and the team knowing that their form will need to improve if they are to fight for any trophies this campaign, their first game back at home – well, the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium – could give us a little more insight into how this season could possibly go.

Goalkeeper – 

Judging by the past couple matches, you can’t deny that Thibaut Courtois is on form and he will be expected to start as usual on Wednesday night. The Belgian goalkeeper saved Real Madrid from possibly losing both matches and if he can stay in this form for the rest of the season, anything is possible with him between the sticks.

Defenders – 

With two matches this week and the team still trying to find their footing and fitness, I’ll make a bold prediction here and say that we could see the return of Alvaro Odriozola as the right-back. Dani Carvajal has been very good but he’s the type of player who leaves his heart on the pitch and therefore we’ll need to rest him whenever we can.

Also, Odriozola has something to prove to Zidane and will need to show the manager that he can fully count on him whenever required. In the center, I don’t believe Zidane will make any changes due to how solid our defensive pairing of Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos is. On the left, we may see the return of Marcelo after he was unable to travel with the team for the last match.

Will Eden Hazard be ready to start for Real Madrid vs. Real Valladolid?

Midfielders – 

Zidane is expected to return to his more familiar formation which means another start for Carlos Casemiro who will be hoping for a better performance than what he offered against Real Betis while we could see Luka Modric and Martin Odegaard take the space in front of the Brazilian defensive midfielder. Toni Kroos was taken off with an injury in the last match and will not be able to play this week.

Forwards – 

The manager started with an intriguing lineup against Real Betis which saw Luka Jovic start but it may be a little more predictable this time around. With three forwards, Real Madrid will most probably see Vinicius Junior on the left and Rodrygo Goes on the right side as Zidane seems adamant on playing him out of position until he gets used to it.

Lucas Vazquez has returned from his injury but it’s doubtful that we will see him start while Eden Hazard could possibly return and make an appearance off the bench. Up front, Karim Benzema will be hoping to score his first goal of the season.

Full Predicted Lineup:

Thibaut Courtois, Alvaro Odriozola, Raphael Varane, Sergio Ramos, Ferland Mendy, Carlos Casemiro, Luka Modric, Martin Odegaard, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes, Karim Benzema