The Real Champs
Fansided

Predicted Real Madrid XI vs Eibar: Widescale Changes Expected

By Ali Al Hassan

MADRID, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 30: (L-R) Alvaro Odriozola of Real Madrid, Carnero of Real Valladolid during the La Liga Santander match between Real Madrid v Real Valladolid at the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium on September 30, 2020 in Madrid Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 30: (L-R) Alvaro Odriozola of Real Madrid, Carnero of Real Valladolid during the La Liga Santander match between Real Madrid v Real Valladolid at the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium on September 30, 2020 in Madrid Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Real Madrid face Eibar at the Ipurua in La Liga on Sunday evening, hoping to make it five successive wins in all competitions.

The calendar keeps going as Real Madrid prepare for yet another game when they take on Eibar on Sunday night. During the past few matches, it has become clear that Zidane has a “favorite XI” but it’s also evident that at some point, these players will need to get some rest and the game against Eibar will probably be where we see a big number of rotations. It is a risk and it remains to be seen whether the manager is willing to actually take that risk.

Goalkeeper

Yet again, he has saved us against Athletic Bilbao and will be the starting goalkeeper as Thibaut Courtois continues to show just how important he is to this team. It’s entertaining to think back to the days where many were asking for him to leave shortly after his arrival at the Spanish capital but now he has proven himself and continues to do so.

Defenders

There are changes expected in all parts of the pitch and given Dani Carvajal’s injury record, resting him may be a smart decision as the season progresses. Could we see Alvaro Odriozola make an appearance to try proving to Zidane once again that he’s up to the task? He hasn’t gotten many opportunities since his return from the Bayern Munich loan and this could be a golden chance. In the center, the traditional pairing of Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos is expected. We could see this change in the midweek game. As for the left, Marcelo will be chosen to start as he definitely has a lot to prove to himself, the manager and the fans.

Midfielders

After missing the match against Athletic Bilbao due to injury, Carlos Casemiro will be expected to return to the starting lineup against Eibar. In front of the Brazilian, Luka Modric may be given a chance to rest while Federico Valverde could be in the starting eleven for the second game in a row after his return from injury. Toni Kroos will possibly be the third man in midfield.

Forwards

It was interesting to see Zidane give Marco Asensio some more minutes during the last match and the Spaniard is waiting for another chance to prove his capabilities with the team as he hasn’t reached his usual heights so far during this campaign. On the opposite side, Vinicius chould be given a spot on the bench with Rodrygo Goes starting ahead of him. Both Vinicius and Lucas Vazquez have played in all the previous four matches and will need to rest every once in a while regardless of how energetic they always look on the pitch. With Eden Hazard also back to training, we may see him be given a few minutes as well. Up front, it will be the one and only Karim Benzema who seems to have fully returned to his form and somehow continues to impress us every time he’s on the pitch.

Full Predicted Lineup:

Thibaut Courtois, Alvaro Odriozola, Raphael Varane, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Carlos Casemiro, Federico Valverde, Toni Kroos, Marco Asensio, Rodrygo Goes, Karim Benzema

Home/Real Madrid News