Real Madrid vs. Elche Starting XI Prediction for Matchday 22 of LaLiga

LW Vinicius Jr.

Vinicius Jr. completed nine successful dribbles in Real Madrid’s 2-1 win over Elche in the Copa del Rey, and he was also THE difference-maker in their first LaLiga fixture of the 2021-2022 season. So often this season, Vini has been the one to change the game or outright carry Real to victory, whether it is against a title contender like Sevilla or a team closer to the bottom of the table like Elche.

So Vini is another lock to start. In a match like this, he may be the most important man on the team sheet for Los Blancos. You just cannot replicate the skill Vini has on the ball. The team is built around him, his star power, and everything he brings to the table. Like Luka Modric, he is a prime Man of the Match candidate.

CF Karim Benzema

As is Karim Benzema. The clinical striker has put in some marquee performances this season and is already up to 17 goals. Finally poised to win the Pichichi, Benzema has been operating at the highest level since 2018-2019, filling some of the scoring void left by the greatest player in Real Madrid’s history, Cristiano Ronaldo.

For his part, Benz has a case for being the second-best Madrid player of all time. It is a case he strengthens each season, and another brace this weekend vs. Elche could play a part. Individually, he has a good matchup against this defense.

RW Rodrygo Goes

While Rodrygo Goes took a step back against Elche with some poor decisions and execution in the final third, he should surely start for Real Madrid this Sunday. Carlo Ancelotti must trust someone on the right wing, and since Gareth Bale isn’t quite ready to get a full 90 minutes, Rodrygo, a possible key player for the future, is the man.

He was excellent off the bench against Barcelona in the Supercup. Marco Asensio is the super-sub, but Rodrygo is a creative weapon and willing defender who can be more reliable for 90 minutes. Or 70. But he has his own consistency issues he must work on.