Real Madrid Starting XI Prediction vs. Elche in the Copa del Rey Round of 16

LW Rodrygo Goes

Nope, no Eden Hazard. I have Rodrygo Goes starting. Honestly, I could go either way on this and might even make an edit before the match, because Real Madrid want to help make Hazard look good to facilitate a transfer. But they also want to give Rodrygo minutes. Maybe it is better to give him more minutes on the right which is the only position he could play regularly for Real right now, but he is better on the left. So it is a treat to see him on the left, and, in the future, he could play there, too, as a rotational piece.

ST Luka Jovic

Chances are few and far between for Luka Jovic, and after unluckily missing the match against Alcoyano, he should be ready to play this one at Elche. Jovic has been fantastic at times this season, such as against Real Sociedad with his goal and assist in the 2-0 win at the Anoeta. Mariano Diaz struggled against Alcoyano, so Jovic will be a much-needed upgrade in the middle of the Madrid attack at Elche. And we all know how much Karim Benzema could use the rest. He has given the club so much over these past few seasons since Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure to Serie A.

RW Peter

Many Madridistas will rejoice that Peter is in the lineup, and I am not going to hide the fact that I hedged Rodrygo over Hazard on the left just to get Peter in there. Peter could very well be the future at right wing with that left foot of his, and while the path to starting is incredibly difficult at Real Madrid, I would not say the journey is an impossible one for the Castilla standout.

A journey begins with a step, as the cliche goes, and each minute is a step for Peter. Ancelotti surely had to be impressed with his cameo at San Mames – not many players can show that attacking juice against Bilbao…and at that age. So Peter could be an X-Factor against the low block of Elche on Thursday in the Copa del Rey.