Real Madrid Predicted Lineup vs Celta Vigo: Eden Hazard to Start?

Can Eden Hazard help lift Real Madrid to a victory over Celta Vigo?

Real Madrid prepare to take on Celta Vigo in their first La Liga match of 2021 after they ended 2020 with a disappointing 1-1 draw to Elche. The team will be looking for an improved performance as they aim to start the year on a high note while keeping in mind that the Spanish Super Cup and the Copa del Rey will be starting soon as well as the resumption of the UEFA Champions League.

Goalkeeper

Thibaut Courtois will be in goal for the game after he ended 2020 celebrating 100 appearances with Real Madrid. The Belgian goalkeeper has been one of the most in-form players in the squad and he will hope that his impressive performances continue until the end of the campaign.

Defenders 

Zinedine Zidane will be wary of making any changes to his defensive lineup after that didn’t go too well in their previous game. Dani Carvajal will be the starting right-back on the night as the partnership of Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos looks set to continue. Varane has been steadily improving and reaching the form we all expect of him. On the left, the manager decided to rest Ferland Mendy while playing Marcelo against Elche but the Frenchman is expected to return to the lineup as he continues to be our starting left-back for this season.

Midfielders

Might we see a slight change here for Real Madrid? As hopeful as we could be to see someone like Martin Odegaard given a chance, it’s slightly unlikely right now. Carlos Casemiro will start as our only natural defensive midfielder. In front of him, we have been taken back to the past as the partnership between Toni Kroos and Luka Modric looks stronger than it has been in recent seasons.

Both players have been in sensational form which could be why Zidane is reluctant to make any amendments to it now. However, he will have to do so at some point which is when players like Odegaard and Federico Valverde will be ready to pounce.

Forwards

Up front, we expect to see a slight change as Marco Asensio will be returning to the bench for Eden Hazard who will be hoping to make his first start since returning from injury. We saw him for about 15 minutes against Elche but he will need the next six months to be the best he’s ever had after a terrible start to his Real Madrid career. On the other side will be the energetic Lucas Vazquez who has been in great form in the past few months as he aims to fight for a contract extension at the club.

At striker, it will be Karim Benzema, one of the only players who has remained consistent since the beginning of the season which is one of the main reasons behind why players like Luka Jovic and Mariano Diaz simply cannot get a real chance to prove themselves yet.

Predicted Starting Lineup:

Thibaut Courtois, Dani Carvajal, Raphael Varane, Sergio Ramos, Ferland Mendy, Carlos Casemiro, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Eden Hazard, Lucas Vazquez, Karim Benzema