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Real Madrid team news: Predicted 4-3-3 line up vs Valencia – Five injured, defender banned
Real Madrid are without a host of first-team players when they continue their La Liga title chase against Valencia at the Mestalla this evening (8pm GMT).
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Real Madrid will have to cope without a number of first-team stars when they hunt for a fifth consecutive La Liga victory against Valencia tonight. Zinedine Zidane’s side are a point behind rivals Barcelona in the table but have a game in hand and could go top with a win.
But Los Blancos will be without several key players due to injuries while Ferland Mendy is suspended after his red card against Espanyol.
Eden Hazard is the most high-profile absentee while Marcelo and Lucas Vazquez are both sidelined with fitness issues.
Midfield playmakers Marco Asensio and James Rodriguez are also unavailable, meaning Zidane’s options are limited this weekend.
However, the Real Madrid boss rested a number of players for the final Champions League group game against Club Brugge with qualification to the knockout stages already secured.
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Thibaut Courtois was given the evening off with Alphonse Areola deputising in goal but the Belgian should return between the posts.
And Dani Carvajal was an unused substitute in the 3-1 win but is expected to replace Alvaro Odriozola at right-back.
Raphael Varane will retain his starting berth in central defence but Sergio Ramos should come in for Eder Militao after being left out of the travelling party that went to Belgium.
Nacho is available after a significant injury lay-off and his return is timely with the Spaniard expected to line up at left-back due to Marcelo’s injury and Mendy’s suspension.
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Casemiro could anchor the midfield if Zidane switches back to a 4-3-3 formation, although the Brazilian is one booking away from a suspension which could rule him out of El Clasico on Wednesday.
Luka Modric may therefore start once more while Toni Kroos – another experienced pro who was rested for the Champions League clash – should return.
Federico Valverde is a favourite under Zidane and is set to replace Isco, although fans will be pleased to see the playmaker gaining valuable minutes after his injury lay-off.
Zidane also has a tough choice to make between Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, with both young Brazilians having started out wide against Brugge.
Vinicius was substituted on Wednesday while Rodrygo completed 90 minutes so the former is most likely to start again while Gareth Bale should come back on the right flank.
And Luka Jovic will drop out in favour of in-form frontman Karim Benzema, who has scored 15 goals already this season.
Real Madrid have a hectic final week ahead of the Spanish winter break, with this evening’s clash followed by the trip to the Nou Camp on Wednesday.
Los Blancos then host Athletic Bilbao next Sunday, so Zidane will be keen to avoid picking up any additional fitness issues this week.
Valencia have injury issues of their own with Cristiano Puccini, Geoffrey Kondogbia, Goncalo Guedes, Denis Cheryshev and Maxi Gomez all sidelined.
Meanwhile, former Barcelona stopper Jasper Cillessen is doubtful due to a calf injury and Kevin Gameiro has a muscle issue.
Los Che also secured a spot in the Champions League knockout stages with a 1-0 victory over Ajax on Tuesday night.
That means Albert Celades’ side are on a three-match unbeaten run and are now up to eighth in La Liga.
Real Madrid predicted line-up vs Valencia – La Liga
(4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Nacho; Kroos, Modric, Valverde; Bale, Vinicius, Benzema