Real Madrid: 3 X-Factors against Levante on Matchday 5

Will Real Madrid start Martin Odegaard?

For the first time this season, Martin Odegaard did not start for Los Blancos against Real Valladolid, as Zinedine Zidane decided to roll with Casemiro, Fede Valverde, Luka Modric, and Isco in midfield after that quartet helped see off a victory on Matchday 3 against Real Betis.

Valverde and Modric excelled in that game and should start again on Matchday 5 with Toni Kroos injured. But what about Odegaard?

The Norway international looked quite good in the season opener against his old side, Real Sociedad. While Real Madrid couldn’t find a breakthrough goal and ultimately settled for a 0-0 draw, Odegaard was always trying to make something happen.

Last season, Odegaard was one of the best overall players in La Liga, pulling the strings for La Real and creating chance after chance. Odegaard’s ability to break the lines and press defenses into mistakes make him a huge asset to Los Blancos in the 2020-2021 season.

Isco and Odegaard will rotate starts, especially while Kroos is out. I think it’s Odegaard’s turn to see if he can lead the dismantling of Levante on Sunday afternoon. Odegaard’s early connection with Karim Benzema was particularly encouraging to see against Sociedad, and Madridistas would love to see those two build a rapport together in the starting lineup.