Having won all five of their big matches, Real Madrid have now established themselves as the clear favorites to win LaLiga. But as we all know, Los Blancos must continue to get results, including against clubs lower in the table whom they have slipped up against in the past.
Real Madrid will face Cadiz on Sunday night at the Santiago Bernabeu. While Cadiz upset Los Blancos in the first fixture of the 2020-2021 season, Real outplayed them the second time around. Moreover, whereas Real sit first in the table, Cadiz are in the relegation zone at 18th. They have not built on their successful first season back in LaLiga.
But while Los Blancos are clear favorites on Matchday 18, they will not overestimate their opponents. Here is a look at Carlo Ancelotti’s possible starting lineup this weekend.
GK Thibaut Courtois
As if there was any doubt. Andriy Lunin is a talented player, but the Real Madrid backup won’t get his chances until the Copa del Rey. Thibaut Courtois is the best goalkeeper in the world and is finally starting to get some recognition for his place at the top. He will be aiming for a fifth straight clean sheet this Sunday.
LB Ferland Mendy
Ferland Mendy’s defensive work could come in handy against Cadiz striker Choco Lozano, who can threaten even top clubs in LaLiga.
CB David Alaba
David Alaba was a goal-scoring hero in his first Clasico, and he was also quite good in his first Derbi. The center back has been the most successful player in the world this year when looking at what his teams have achieved in terms of consistent results each week. When watching how Real have played in 2021-2022, it’s easy to see Alaba’s influence.
CB Eder Militao
Thanks to his incredible performances this season, Eder Militao has solidified his status as untouchable in the lineup. He was arguably Real’s best player during that stretch of five difficult matches, and Madridistas should expect to see another dominant performance this weekend vs. Cadiz.
RB Lucas Vazquez
Original: Some rest for Dani Carvajal is plausible with either Lucas Vazquez or even Nacho Fernandez starting in his place, but Carvajal should honestly be good to go. Nacho, after all, did play the final phases of El Derbi for Carvajal at right back, and there will have been a full week between the win over Atletico Madrid and Sunday’s battle with the Pirates.
Update: Carvajal is in doubt due to muscular discomfort. Therefore, it would behoove Real Madrid to start Lucas Vazquez, who has been competent at right back this season again. There is no need to take any risks with Carvajal. He is not injured and probably could play if he had to, but overloads are no joke, especially not for a player with his injury history.