Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Alaves - La Liga | OneFootball

Real Madrid must recover from successive defeats when they visit Deportivo Alaves in La Liga on Sunday afternoon.

Madrid's bruising La Liga loss to Valencia last weekend was followed by an even more painful defeat at the hands of Arsenal midweek which leaves their Champions League campaign in tatters. Failing to beat Alaves this weekend would spark talks of crisis for a club of their remarkable stature, as well as hand Barcelona an enormous advantage in the race for the title.

Carlo Ancelotti will have to tread the line carefully between rotating his star personnel against Alaves and making too many alterations, but a manger of his immense experience should make the right judgement calls on Sunday.

Here's how Madrid could line up.

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Alaves (4-2-3-1)

Endrick could feature in a much-changed Madrid side / Quality Sport Images/GettyImages

GK: Thibaut Courtois - 19-year-old Fran Gonzalez made his Madrid debut last weekend as Andriy Lunin recovers from injury, but Courtois was a welcome returnee for the clash with Arsenal midweek and was rushed into action on many occasions.

RB: Lucas Vazquez - The fact that Federico Valverde has been preferred to Vazquez at right-back in recent high-profile encounters speaks volumes about the veteran's inability to be trusted against the best in the business. Alaves are more his level.

CB: Raul Asencio - With Eder Militao injured and David Alaba sustaining a knock against Arsenal, Ancelotti once again finds himself light on central defensive options. Asencio is unlikely to be offered a rest this weekend.

CB: Antonio Rudiger - Ancelotti is suffering the same dilemma when it comes to resting Rudiger, with even the usually staunch German unable to prevent a hefty defeat at the Emirates Stadium.

LB: Fran Garcia - With Ferland Mendy injured for the trip to Alaves and the coming clash with Arsenal, Garcia will return to the left-back slot on Sunday - and potentially next Wednesday, too.

DM: Aurelien Tchouameni - Suspended for the first leg with Arsenal, Tchouameni will return to action on Sunday. Madrid missed his defensive nous and physical edge in the engine room midweek.

DM: Eduardo Camavinga - Camavinga picked up a needless second yellow card for booting the ball away against Arsenal, making him unavailable for the return leg. The suspension doesn't carry over to La Liga, though.

RW: Brahim Diaz - Diaz has often been an effective deputy this season when Madrid choose to rotate, but the Morocco international has offered little in recent cameos for Los Blancos.

AM: Arda Guler - The lesser-seen Guler could earn a rare start against Alaves having managed a goal and assist in his last four outings for club and country. Madrid need an inspired performance from the youngster on Sunday.

LW: Rodrygo - Madrid don't have the luxury of being able to rotate their entire front four and Rodrygo could be the only member to retain his starting berth in the Basque region.

ST: Endrick - Endrick has been starved of meaningful opportunities this term but scored in an impressive display against Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey recently. Ancelotti may call on him to lead the line this weekend.