After a quarterfinal exit from the Copa del Rey on Thursday night, Real Madrid must recover quickly and face Granada on Sunday night in LaLiga. Back in November, Los Blancos defeated Granada at Los Carmenes by a score of 4-1, buoyed by two assists from Toni Kroos.
In this league matchup, Real will be without star winger Vinicius Junior. Karim Benzema and Ferland Mendy are also in question after missing the Copa del Rey loss with injuries.
Here is a prediction for the Real Madrid starting lineup on LaLiga’s Matchday 23, which will be played the Santiago Bernabeu.
GK Thibaut Courtois
Though Real Madrid lost anyway, Thibaut Courtois did get the start against Athletic Bilbao at San Mames over Andriy Lunin. Perhaps Lunin will get one back with a start in LaLiga, but don’t expect that to happen immediately after a deflating loss.
LB David Alaba
David Alaba really should be playing as many matches as possible at center back, but since I am not willing to commit to a Miguel Gutierrez start due to how little he has been playing, Alaba will start again at left back. Marcelo seems to be the favored option in the media, but, at this point, he shouldn’t be starting any matches.
CB Nacho Fernandez
Nacho was the best player on the pitch against Athletic Bilbao, and the only other player I’d consider praising more would be his center back partner on that day, Eder Militao. Though he struggled to start the season, Nacho was brilliant in 2020-2021 and showed that brilliance in defeat at San Mames.
CB Eder Militao
We can consider Eder Militao a lock to start in every given matchday. The Brazilian center back is becoming one of the best at the position in Europe. He will be very important in keeping Luis Suarez quiet. The 24-year-old Colombian is one of LaLiga’s better forwards and scored Granada’s lone goal in the last head-to-head fixture.
RB Dani Carvajal
While I incorrectly predicted Dani Carvajal would make his return to the Real Madrid starting lineup in the Copa del Rey, he really should be back for this match. Lucas Vazquez was actually alright against Bilbao, but there’s nothing like having Carvajal back in the XI.