Real Madrid travel to Balaidos tonight to face Celta Vigo in what will be a tough away trip for Los Blancos.
They will face former manager Rafa Benitez, who briefly managed the club in 2015 prior to Zinedine Zidane’s appointment, and he will be looking to prove a point against Carlo Ancelotti.
Ancelotti has already confirmed at least one change to the side that beat Almeria last week, as new signing Kepa Arrizabalaga is set to start in goal ahead of Andriy Lunin.
The Spaniard joined on loan from Chelsea after a long-term injury to Thibaut Courtois, and will begin his Real Madrid career at a tough ground against quality players such as Iago Aspas.
It seems likely that there will be a change in midfield. Eduardo Camavinga was benched after he picked up a knock, but he was substituted on against Almeria, and the 20-year-old looks set to start. This may see veteran Toni Kroos drop out of the XI.
Who will Ancelotti start at Balaidos?
Aside from Kepa replacing Lunin in goal, the same back four as the last game, which saw Antonio Rudiger replace the injured Eder Militao, can be expected.
In midfield, Ancelotti will likely continue with his midfield diamond formation, with Real Madrid’s four young midfield superstars taking centre-stage again, and this will mean veteran Toni Kroos is dropped to the bench again.
Upfront, there will be few surprises as Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo continue in their new central roles. Ancelotti has recently highlighted how this new role can help Vinicius improve his end product, and it seems that the goalscoring burden will be placed upon him and Jude Bellingham this season.
Real Madrid predicted XI to face Celta Vigo: Kepa Arrizabalaga; Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, Fran Garcia; Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, Fede Valverde, Jude Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior