Two changes in midfield: 4-3-3 Predicted Real Madrid lineup against Celtic

After Arsenal’s loss to Manchester United yesterday, Real Madrid are the only remaining team in the top five leagues with a perfect record. They have won all four of their games in the 2022/23 season, scoring 11 goals and conceding four.

Their goal this season is to retain the Champions League and La Liga, both, and the journey for the former begins tomorrow in Glasgow, Scotland. Los Blancos are pinned against Celtic for the opening round of the UCL group stages.

Celtic have had a stunning start to their season in the Scottish Premiership, obtaining all possible points in six games, while scoring a mammoth 25 goals.

At the 60,000-seater Celtic Park, the defending Scottish champs will prove to be a lot more trouble than Madrid will be hoping for.

It’s the first game of the UCL season, and Carlo Ancelotti does not have a lot of reasons to rotate too much of his best team tomorrow. We at Madrid Universal predict how Real Madrid will line up tomorrow against Celtic.

Defence

Even though he is yet to claim his first clean sheet of the season, Thibaut Courtois has started this season exactly where he left off. In fact, things could be much different for Madrid without him. Tomorrow, he will start in goal, hoping the net doesn’t bulge once.

With Jesus Vallejo and Nacho still possibly out injured, we do not expect a lot of changes in the defence. David Alaba could be forced out wide as the left-back, while Lucas Vazquez comes in to replace Daniel Carvajal at right-back.

In the centre, Antonio Rudiger is overdue for game-time, and is expected to get exactly that tomorrow. He will partner Eder Militao in the heart of the defence.

Midfield

Eduardo Camavinga had a rather underwhelming display against Real Betis last week, but should be awarded with a second consecutive start regardless. He will, however, replace Aurelien Tchouameni as the lone pivot in the midfield trident.

Ancelotti has to do his best to preserve Luka Modric, and therefore, it is likely that the Croatian starts from the bench tomorrow. In his place, Toni Kroos returns, playing as one of the advanced interiors.

The final piece of the puzzle could be Dani Ceballos, who has done just enough for Ancelotti to start him. Should he do well, he could be in line to retain his place for the RCD Mallorca game this weekend.

Attack

Federico Valverde was brought in from the bench in the 63rd minute and assisted Rodrygo for the winner with one of his first touches of the game. There is little to no chance he starts as a substitute two games in a row.

Vinicus Jr, etched his name on the scoresheet, too, and now has three goals and an assist in four games this season. He should be one of the first names in the starting lineup with the kind of form he is in.

Finally, Karim Benzema is expected to complete the XI as the centre-forward. Despite scoring three goals already, the Frenchman has been surprisingly hit-and-miss in front of the goal, missing seven big chances. He will be hoping a goal or two in the Champions League tomorrow can change his fortunes.

Vinicus · Benzema · Valverde
Kroos · Camavinga · Ceballos
Alaba · Rudiger · Militao · Vazquez
Courtois

Substitutes

If Ancelotti does, indeed, opt to use this midfield, we expect Aurilien Tchouameni and Luka Modric to be one of the first ones to be brought on in the second half.

Ferland Mendy is in contention to be subbed in as well, giving one of Militao or Alaba some much-needed rest. The same goes for Rodrygo, who could get the nod to replace Vinicius or Valverde if things are going well.

Eden Hazard has not stepped off the bench in the last two games, but tomorrow is the perfect opportunity for him to win back some lost confidence.