After Atletico de Madrid (1st in LaLiga) and FC Barcelona (2nd in LaLiga) both won their matches, Real Madrid is in desperate need to secure the 3pts against Valencia CF. Real Madrid have been affected by the loss of several of their key players because of injuries. The good news for the team lead by Zinedine Zidane is that Kroos has ended his sanction and both Carvajal and Lucas Vasquez are back from injury.

The reincorporation of Carvajal means a great deal for Zizou since Real Madrid have not lost a game in which the number 2 was on the pitch. Vasquez return from injury is also a relief for the French coach because he could split the minutes between the both of them, giving each player time in the pitch without exposing them to get re injured. But not everyone in the squad is happy about these two players being back; this is the case of Vinicius. The Brazilian youngster has been a starter in the past couple games, but he is not consistent and trustworthy enough to remain in the starting XI. Bottomline for the Merengues is that whoever Zizou decides to play, they better be on their maximum level since Valencia CF is one of the teams that defeated Real Madrid in the first round of games.

Despite previously beating Real Madrid, Valencia CF is not in a good position in the league standings and they are definitely not in optimal levels. Los Che (Valencia's nickname) are in 12th place with only 24pts having won only 5 of the 22 games they have played so far. This puts Valencia in a very critical position since any errors could cost them to be in the relegation zone. Not everything is lost to the side led by Javi Garcia. If they work hard and focus on trying to win their remaining games, Valencia might end up in a position in the table that could guarantee them a place in the European competitions.

Possible Lineups

Real Madrid

Courtois; Carvajal, Nacho, Varane, Mendy; Casemiro, Kroos, Modric; Asensio, Benzema, Vinicius

Valencia CF

Domenech; Correia, Paulista, Ferro, Gaya; Wass, Racic, Soler, Guedes; Maxi Gomez, Vallejo