Real Madrid Predicted Lineup vs. Elche: Luka Modric makes his return

After a disappointing result against Osasuna, Real Madrid take on Elche in La Liga. Both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid dropped points in the last game week and Los Blancos need to get back to winning ways with other clubs such as Real Sociedad, Sevilla and Real Betis all fighting for the top spot early in the campaign.

Goalkeeper

Thibaut Courtois will be the goalkeeper in the afternoon game as he continues to be integral to the starting lineup, which continues to understandably keep Andriy Lunin at bay. Even though Ancelotti admitted that Lunin will get time “soon”, it doesn’t seem like his first start of the campaign will come before the start of the Copa del Rey which is where he will be expected to be the starting goalkeeper for the competition.

Defenders

We finally saw the return of Dani Carvajal to the starting eleven but due to his injuries and his importance to the team, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him on the bench for the match with a must-win game against Shakhtar Donetsk coming up in midweek. Lucas Vazquez could be the one to take his place after being rested during the match against Osasuna. In the center, Eder Militao has continued his improvement this season, and he’ll be alongside David Alaba. On the left, there is a slight feeling that Marcelo may start but all signs, as usual, will point to Ferland Mendy as Carlo Ancelotti will not want to take too many risks.

Midfield

There has been a lot of criticism directed his way this season due to below-par performances but Carlos Casemiro will almost surely start. Toni Kroos will be in front of him while we welcome back Luka Modric to the starting lineup after he missed the last game due to muscle fatigue. Eduardo Camavinga played 45 minutes in the match against Osasuna at midweek. If Ancelotti is able to go back to his trusted trio in midfield, then there is no reason to believe that the Italian won’t do so.

Forwards

Up front, we’ll be seeing the trio that is currently Ancelotti’s favorite front three. On the left, Vinicius Junior will continue causing havoc whenever he touches the ball as he has been our most dangerous player this season. On the opposite flank, Rodrygo Goes will start and even though he offers less than Rodrygo in terms of his runs forward, his passing and ability to open up spaces while covering in defense with Vazquez will be integral.

Up front, it looks like Ancelotti will have to rest Karim Benzema, who is not in the squad. Luka Jovic would start. Marco Asensio, who is a midfielder in Ancelotti’s books, started on the wing in the previous match but wasn’t able to really make any impact on the game even when moving into midfield for the second half as he continues to be unable to replicate the form we saw from him in the match against Real Mallorca while Eden Hazard still needs to fight for his place at Real Madrid.

Full Predicted Lineup

Thibaut Courtois, Lucas Vazquez, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, Carlos Casemiro, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Rodrygo Goes, Vinicius Junior, Karim Benzema