Fran Garcia and Luka Modric to start | Predicted Real Madrid line-up against Osasuna | OneFootball

Real Madrid are back in action in La Liga after their emphatic win in the UEFA Champions League against Manchester City last week. For the fourth time in five matches across all competitions, Los Blancos are on the travels and will face Osasuna at El Sadar on matchday 24 and will look to extend their lead to four points atop the league table before Atletico Madrid host Celta Vigo later in the day.

Although Carlo Ancelotti expects to have Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba and Lucas Vazquez available for the second leg against City, the trio are missing from the call-up for this game. Consequently, rotations at the back might be far and few between, though things may be shaken up further up the pitch. With that said, here is how the team could line up against Osasuna:

Goalkeeper – Thibaut Courtois

Thibaut Courtois will be in goal once more in La Liga for the game against Osasuna. Though he has conceded thrice in his last two games, the Belgian has barely had anything to do in those games and will hope that stays the same this time.

Right Back – Federico Valverde

With Lucas Vazquez joining Dani Carvajal on the sideline, Uruguayan midfielder Federico Valverde will be deployed as the team’s makeshift right back for the second game on the trot.

Centre Back – Raul Asencio

Raul Asencio made his debut for Real Madrid after Eder Militao injured himself against Osasuna in the reverse fixture earlier this season, and assisted Jude Bellingham superbly. He will start this match having become a massive asset for the team over the past few months.

Centre Back – Aurelien Tchouameni

Wholesale injuries at the back will likely see another midfielder turn into a makeshift defender with Aurelien Tchouameni expected to partner with Asencio in the heart of defence.

Left Back – Fran Garcia

With Ferland Mendy playing against Manchester City midweek, it is logical to think that Fran Garcia, who is in great form, will get the nod against Osasuna at left back.

Defensive Midfielder – Eduardo Camavinga

Eduardo Camavinga started his first match since returning from injury in the Champions League game midweek and is likely to be used as the team’s number 6 against Osasuna as well.

Right Midfielder – Luka Modric

Dani Ceballos is in imperious form but could be handed a well-deserved rest after a laborious outing against Man City and also to stay afresh for the second leg against them. Luka Modric might come in as his replacement for the Osasuna game.

Left Midfielder – Jude Bellingham

Jude Bellingham scored the winner against City in stoppage time and was also on target when Madrid and Osasuna met earlier this season. He is likely to play in the engine room once more.

Right Winger – Brahim Diaz

Rodrygo Goes has played crucial roles in a number of matches on the bounce and is due a rest. The Brazilian could be benched against Osasuna with Brahim Diaz possibly coming in, having scored on his last visit to Osasuna.

Striker – Kylian Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe has scored in two matches in a row and is Madrid’s leading hitman in La Liga. He will look to continue his fine form against Osasuna as he looks to add another team to his lengthy list of scoring victims.

Left Winger – Vinicius Junior

Vinicius Junior was suspended for a number of matches in the recent past and remains fresh. The man-of-the-match against City and the hat-trick hero from the last meeting versus Osasuna is expected to be on the left flank this time around.