MU Shorts
Modric, Camavinga start in a 4-3-3: How Real Madrid could line up against Osasuna
Real Madrid will have a golden opportunity to reduce the gap to the top of the table to five points when they lock horns with CA Osasuna at El Sadar later tonight.
Los Blancos are eight points behind leaders and arch-rivals FC Barcelona and know that they cannot afford any more missteps if they wish to keep the defence of their league title alive.
With Barça scheduled to play on Sunday, Real Madrid will have a chance to cut down the gap and put them under some amount of pressure.
However, the Merengues will have to make do without captain and ace goalkeeper Karim Benzema, who is dealing with fatigue and has, thus, been rested by Carlo Ancelotti, with an eye on the UEFA Champions League clash against Liverpool next Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Toni Kroos also misses out due to gastroenteritis while Real Madrid are also without Ferland Mendy and Mariano Diaz.
Ahead of the clash against Osasuna, Madrid Universal looks at how Ancelotti could set his team out at El Sadar tonight.
Starters
Thibaut Courtois is back in the squad after missing the last four matches due to an injury. The Belgian international will reclaim his spot between the sticks from Andriy Lunin against Osasuna.
Meanwhile, Dani Carvajal could be benched in order to keep him fresh for the Liverpool clash. It would lead to Nacho Fernandez starting at right-back for Real Madrid tonight. Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger are expected to pair up at the heart of the defence.
David Alaba returned to his old left-back position in the game against Elche earlier this week and should get the nod again, over makeshift option Eduardo Camavinga.
Moving into the middle of the park, Ancelotti had already confirmed the identity of two of his three starters, with Luka Modric and Aurelien Tchouameni tipped to walk back into the lineup against Osasuna.
However, the latter has become a last-minute omission from the squad due to flu and Eduardo Camavinga should start as the No. 6 at El Sadar.
Dani Ceballos, who was very good in the midweek versus Elche, should retain his spot in the side, to complete the three-man midfield unit for Real Madrid.
With no Benzema, Rodrygo Goes becomes the obvious starter in the centre-forward position for the Spanish champions. Partnering him on the left will be compatriot Vinicius Jr, who is back in the squad after serving out a one-match ban.
Marco Asensio was on target against Elche and should retain his place on the right flank, with Federico Valverde dropping to the bench against Osasuna.
Vinicius · Rodrygo · Asensio
Ceballos · Camavinga · Modric
Alaba · Rudiger · Militao · Nacho
Courtois
Substitutes
The aforementioned Valverde is very much certain to come on at some point, either in midfield or in attack on the right flank. Youngster Alvaro Rodriguez is another player who will likely get some minutes in the absence of another natural striker in the squad.
Mario Martin could feature in the second period to provide some relief to Modric, who will likely be taken off with an eye on the Liverpool game. Lucas Vazquez would also be an option for Ancelotti, either at right-back or as a winger.
Real Madrid will be eager to move to the top of the La Liga standings as they get set to take on Real Betis in a Matchday 4 fixture in La Liga tonight.
Under new manager Jose Mourinho, the Merengues have made a strong start to the season, winning three in three, with their latest match ending in a 4-0 triumph against Malaga at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The fact that superstars like Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius Jr. have made strong starts to the season, while new signings Marc Cucurella and Ibrahima Konate have also made positive impact bodes well for Los Blancos.
The aim will be to secure their fourth victory in a row and continue building the momentum especially with the UEFA Champions League opener against Inter Milan coming up next.
Going into the game, though, Real Madrid will once again be without as many as seven players as Aurelien Tchouameni, Endrick, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, Rodrygo Goes, Thiago Pitarch, and Raul Asencio remain unavailable.
New teenage signing Sergio Martinez has been named in the squad and could be in line for his debut at Estadio de La Cartuja tonight.
Having made some rotations to the starting XI last time out against Malaga, here’s how Mourinho could set his Real Madrid team up tonight.
Defence
Thibaut Courtois is a confirmed starter in goal for Real Madrid and will be looking for his second clean sheet of the new campaign.
As for the defensive line, there is likely to be only one change with Ibrahima Konate coming back into the team in place of Antonio Rudiger, who made his first start of the season vs Malaga.
Dean Huijsen has been a constant fixture at the heart of the defence so far and that is unlikely to change.
At right-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold appears set to retain his place after an impressive display in his first start of the season last weekend. It means, new signing Denzel Dumfries will remain on the bench. Marc Cucurella, meanwhile, should start again on the left side.
Midfield
Bernardo Silva was one of the players that Mourinho rotated against Malaga, and is expected to return to the lineup tonight against Real Betis.
The Portuguese international has done fairly well in his new role as part of the double pivot alongside Federico Valverde, who will retain his place in the team.
It would mean Eduardo Camavinga misses out after having a decent game on his first start of the season last weekend.
Jude Bellingham has been in spectacular form since the start of the season, already racking up two goals and two assists from three games. Back in his preferred role as an attacking midfielder, he will start there again tonight.
Attack
Moving into the attacking unit, Mourinho is expected to make one key change as Arda Guler should replace Brahim Diaz on the right flank after scoring Real Madrid’s fourth goal against Malaga coming on as a substitute.
What it also means is that blockbuster summer signing Yan Diomande will have to wait for his first start for Real Madrid.
Kylian Mbappe has already scored four goals in three games, making a blistering start to the season and will be aiming to build on that as he chases a hat-trick of Pichichi Trophies.
Rounding off the attacking trident will be superstar Vinicius Jr., who will also be hoping to get among the goals.
