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Real Madrid team news: Predicted 4-3-3 line up to face Athletic Bilbao – Six out injured
REAL MADRID manager Zinedine Zidane will have to shuffle his squad due to a number of injuries ahead of the clash with Athletic Bilbao this afternoon (3.15pm).
Los Blancos have several first-team stars sidelined as they prepare to host Athletic Bilbao at the Bernabeu.
Captain Sergio Ramos is one of six key men who could miss out this weekend, having missed the draw with Leganes last time out due to a calf injury.
Zinedine Zidane’s side are just four points off second-placed Atletico Madrid but will also be without Vinicius Junior as the Brazilian recovers from a knee injury.
Thibaut Courtois is still short of match fitness while Toni Kroos has picked up a virus and Alvaro Odriozola will undergo an operation on a fractured collarbone.
With Mariano also out due to an abductor injury, Real have found their squad stretched for the La Liga run-in.
Keylor Navas will continue in goal while Dani Carvajal is a direct replacement for Odiozola at right-back.
Nacho is expected to deputise for Ramos once again while Kroos’ absence gives the likes of Federico Valverde or Dani Ceballos a chance to impress.
Casemiro and Luka Modric will bring some much-needed experience to the midfield while Isco should start out wide.
Gareth Bale, Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez will compete for a spot on the opposite flank while Karim Benzema will lead the line.
Bale only played the final 13 minutes against Leganes and is out of favour under Zidane.
The Welshman was frozen out during Zidane’s first spell at the club and looks set to be moved on in the summer.
As for Bilbao, Gaizka Garitano’s men are seventh in the table but just three points behind Valencia and will be targeting a Europa League qualification spot.
Real Madrid predicted line-up vs Athletic Bilbao – La Liga
(4-3-3): Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Nacho, Marcelo; Casemiro, Modric, Ceballos; Isco, Asensio, Benzema