Real Madrid: Resetting goal, assist predictions for every forward in 2020-21

ST Mariano Diaz

If Luka Jovic gets loaned out, Mariano Diaz would have the opportunity to play in the Copa del Rey and get a few games in La Liga. Mariano has his bright moments, such as his excellent goal in El Clasico earlier this year, as well as a rapid goal in the 1-1 draw with Villarreal at the Estadio de la Ceramica when Karim Benzema was injured and Jovic had a positive COVID-19 test.

Although Mariano has his positives, he’s also too inconsistent to have a future at Real Madrid, which is why the team has been trying to sell him for the past couple of transfer windows. He’s safe for now, so he’ll be motivated to use these final six months to prove to Zidane that he can be a good backup in Madrid.

Prediction: 3 goals, 0 assists

LW Eden Hazard

Eden Hazard needs to be the superstar player for Real Madrid. Karim Benzema will be the top scorer and the man in the Pichichi race for Los Merengues, but it would be important for Real to get goals from Hazard, too.

The Belgian showed his goal-scoring prowess against Huesca this season with a brilliant strike from long-range that clearly woke something up in his teammates. Hazard leads by example with his play, as his excitement on the ball opens up chances for teammates and also gets them to play at their best.

Predicting Hazard’s stats is a difficult exercise, because it’s hard to even predict his health. Hazard has played just 153 minutes this season, though he is due back soon against Elche.

I am going to take the optimistic route and predict a strong second-half of the season for Hazard. He’ll add more goals than he did last season – well, to be fair, he’s already matched his grand total of “one” – and chip in with at least as many assists.

Prediction: 8 goals, 8 assists