Real Madrid Predicted Lineup vs Valencia: Another Big Night

Real Madrid will barely have time to take in a last-minute winner against Inter Milan in their opening match of the UEFA Champions League as they need to begin preparations to take on Valencia in La Liga on Sunday night at the Mestalla. The match against Inter made many aware that rest will be needed for some players but it will be difficult in a game against a Valencia side tied on points with Real Madrid so far and seem to be a lot more organized than they were last season.

Goalkeeper

We saw the absolute best of Thibaut Courtois when Real Madrid took on Inter Milan in midweek and there is reason to believe that we’ll need him at his best once again on Sunday night as he starts for the club once again as usual.

Defenders

After yet another impressive defensive performance, the experience and abilities of Dani Carvajal will be needed as he takes his place as right-back with Eder Militao next to him in the center of defense. The Brazilian has had a difficult start to the season but we saw that he truly does still have what it takes after a solid night in Italy. Next to him will be David Alaba as Carlo Ancelotti prefers him in the center.

We’ll see the Austrian go on the left once again if Real Madrid run out of options but thankfully that isn’t the case this time around. On the left, Nacho Fernandez started the last time out, but Miguel Gutierrez may be the better choice as he offers more offensively and has shown that he can hold his own at the back. It’s clear that the manager trusts the young left-back and it’s worth trusting him against Valencia once again on Sunday night.

Eden Hazard will get another chance for Real Madrid at Valencia

Midfielders

When he’s fit and ready, Carlos Casemiro will definitely play. Obviously, at some point he will need to be rested but it seems like he can keep it up a while longer. In front of him, the man who consistently runs and never holds back has all but cemented his place in the midfield as Federico Valverde will be starting once again. The main question is who will complete the midfield trio?

Even though he looked exhausted when he was taken off against Inter Milan, it’s expected that Luka Modric will start again. In the post-match press conference, Ancelotti made it clear that Eduardo Camavinga needs some time and to work on a couple of things defensively so that could be all we need to hear to predict that the new signing will be on the bench for the game. He has come on as a substitute during the past two matches and already has a goal and an assist to his name as a Real Madrid player.

Forwards

Lucas Vazquez started on Wednesday night but it seems like Eden Hazard may be getting his chance once again. Rodrygo Goes came on as a substitute and scored the goal to give Los Blancos all three points but he’ll probably be starting from the bench on Sunday night as Hazard will be under pressure to perform at his best. On the left, Vinicius Junior will get another deserved start as he has shown that he absolutely cannot be dropped out of the starting lineup in his current form. The man leading the attack will be none other than Karim Benzema, who will want to add to his goals and assists tally on the night.

Full Predicted Lineup

Thibaut Courtois, Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Miguel Gutierrez, Carlos Casemiro, Federico Valverde, Luka Modric, Eden Hazard, Vinicius Junior, Karim Benzema